Torres on the mark again for Reds to sink Sven's men
Fernando Torres started despite being substituted through injury in Liverpool's defeat to Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final
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Sunday, 04, May 2008 09:02
Fernando Torres scored his 32nd goal of the season as Liverpool beat Manchester City 1-0 at Anfield.
The Spaniard scored a fine solo goal at the start of the second half to seal victory for Rafael Benitez's side.
Liverpool made five changes with Steve Finnan, Lucas, Sami Hyypia, Ryan Babel and youngster Emiliano Insua starting, while City recalled skipper Richard Dunne.
In a quiet opening the real action was in the stands as the away fans chanted Sven Goran Eriksson's name, with reports claiming the Swede will be sacked by owner Thaksin Shinawatra in the summer.
The first chance came on 20 minutes and fell for Liverpool with Babel heading over from six yards out after Dirk Kuyt's pinpoint cross.
Liverpool, looking to end their season on a high after being knocked out of the Champions League in midweek, again went close with a 25-yard piledriver from Steven Gerrard which flew narrowly over.
In a pulsating final 15 minutes of the half, Martin Petrov rattling the post with a firm shot from Stephen Ireland's cross-field ball.
Joe Hart then denied Gerrard with a world-class save to keep out the England midfielder's curling effort at full stretch.
The second half continued along the same vain with Elano thumping a trademark free-kick against the crossbar with Pepe Reina beaten.
Benitez's side broke the deadlock on 58 minutes when Torres burst into the box and slid the ball into the corner to continue his sensational season.
The Reds then bombarded the City goal with Hart keeping out efforts from Kuyt and Lucas.
Liverpool continued to spurn simple changes with Kuyt firing a header wide from eight yards, while compatriot Babel spooned the ball over with the goal at his mercy after Torres' cut-back.
Benjani posed a threat for City when he came on in the closing stages, testing Reina with a ferocious free-kick from 35 yards.
But Liverpool held on for victory to continue their unbeaten league run that started with the derby win over Everton on March 30th.