Torres gives Liverpool hope
Torres came to Liverpool's rescue, scoring their first two goals
Wednesday, 28, Nov 2007 10:52
Fernando Torres scored twice and Steven Gerrard added a penalty as Liverpool kept their Champions League hopes alive with a 4-1 win over Porto.
Peter Crouch scored the fourth late in the game on a night which had Anfield nervous for long periods of the match.
The Reds needed to beat Porto after suffering two defeats early in the competition but had to wait until the 78th minute before the result seemed safe.
Torres gave the Reds the lead in the 19th minute when he connected with Gerrard's corner. The Spaniard found space at the far post and made no mistake from six yards out.
Liverpool had been dominating the game until the goal but the visitors responded well and were rewarded with an equaliser 12 minutes later.
Przemyslaw Kazmierczak crossed from the left and Lisandro Lopez beat Sami Hyypia to head past Pepe Reina from the centre of the penalty area.
With the scores level at the break the Reds knew they had to find another goal in the second half but it did not come easily.
Despite enjoying the majority of possession in the second period Liverpool could not find enough space in the final third of the pitch to conjure a goal.
But Torres had Anfield rocking when he put the Reds back in front in the 78th minute after Harry Kewell had danced down the left flank. The Australian crossed for Torres and he placed the ball past Helton.
Five minutes later Milan Stepanov handled the ball in the box and was lucky not to be dismissed by the referee. His error gave Gerrard the chance to secure the match and he duly converted from the spot.
Crouch then flicked home Gerrard's corner four minutes from time to make the scoreline flatter the home side after what had been a hard-fought victory.
The Reds must now beat Marseille at the Stade Velodrome in their final group game to qualify for the knockout stages.