24 goals by Torres

Massive seven days that made us all happy

Steven Gerrard smashed in a 90th-minute drive as Liverpool came from behind to beat Middlesbrough at Anfield.

Striker Mido came off the bench to put the visitors ahead with a low, 30-yard drive on 70   more...minutes and it seemed his side were heading for victory.

But Jamie Carragher's drive from the edge of the box flew in off Boro's Emmanuel Pogatetz to give Liverpool an equaliser 16 minutes later.

And in stoppage time, Gerrard lashed in an angled shot to snatch the points.

It was a game Boro will feel desperately disappointed to have lost.  less

First LFC Interview via Keane

BENAYOUN BRILLIANCE WINS IT FOR REDS

Liverpool have kicked-off their pre-season programme with a well deserved 1-0 success over Tranmere Rovers at Prenton more...Park.

Rafael Benitez's men were full   more...value for their victory in a largely one-sided contest which was decided by a moment of Yossi Benayoun brilliance just before half-time.

Liverpool will doubtless face tougher tests as their warm-up programme moves into Switzerland over the next week, but Benitez could have asked for little more from his team's first outing of the campaign in front of a sell-out crowd on the Wirral.

To add to Rafa's delight, Daniel Agger made a successful return to first team duty after an injury plagued year while Daniel Pacheco offered a tantalising glimpse into the future with a fine display on his debut appearance.  less

Spain booked a Euro 2008 quarter-final spot after David Villa's last-gasp goal sank Sweden and Russia beat Greece.

Spain took the lead on 15 minutes with a clever move that ended with Fernando Torres   more...poking home David Silva's cross.

But Sweden responded well and levelled when Zlatan Ibrahimovic met Fredrick Stoor's cross on 34 minutes.

Spain, who could have had a penalty when Johan Elmander barged Silva, were frustrated by Sweden keeper Andreas Isaksson before Villa's neat finish.

Spain were far less stylish than they had been in despatching Russia in their opening match.

But Villa's goal, his fourth of the tournament, was still enough to put his side into the quarter-finals.

Spain will also top Group D and avoid the in-form Netherlands in the last eight.

As against Russia, they again showed neat touches in the early stages with some quick passing helping them to outmanoeuvre the hard-working Swedes.

But Lars Lagerback's side were not as easy to break down and it took a move of real ingenuity to put Spain ahead.  less

Goals from Andriy Voronin and Fernando Torres secured a comfortable victory for Liverpool over Tottenham in a lack-lustre affair at White Hart Lane.

Voronin opened the scoring midway through the second-half   more...slipping the ball past Radek Cerny after latching onto Torres' flick-on.

Torres then made it 2-0 with a superb individual effort, his 24th league goal of his debut Liverpool season.

The Spaniard also hit the crossbar with a fine chip late on.

Although both teams had little to play for, Liverpool being secure in fourth place and Tottenham stuck in mid-table, entertainment was in short supply early on.

The visitors shaded a poor first 45 minutes, dominating possession with Tottenham struggling to get out of their half.  less

Birmingham let a two-goal lead slip against Liverpool as they were denied a crucial win in their relegation battle.

Mikael Forssell lashed in a shot at the far post to put the Blues ahead, with Sebastian   more...Larsson's exquisite long range free-kick adding to their lead.

But Peter Crouch guided in a shot to haul the Reds back into the game.

And as Liverpool penned the Blues back, Yossi Benayoun equalised with a deflected header, which all-but secures fourth spot for the Anfield side.

The point moves them nine ahead of fifth-placed Everton, who have three games left but an inferior goal difference.

Liverpool made nine changes to the team which drew 1-1 with Chelsea in the Champions League in midweek, although there was only one change from the second string side which beat Fulham last week.

There was little in the way of goalmouth action in the early stages but Birmingham slowly increased their level of urgency.  less

Goals from Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch saw Liverpool put a major dent in Fulham's survival hopes.

Pennant gave the Reds the lead against the run of play when he was put through by Lucas Leiva and   more...he took Kasey Keller by surprise with a powerful early shot.

He then turned provider to set up Crouch to score with a low drive.

Fulham were restricted to mostly half chances, with midfielder Danny Murphy going closest with a shot denied by Pepe Reina's legs.

Victory strengthened Liverpool's grip on fourth place - they are now eight points clear of Everton with three games left - but Fulham are five points adrift of safety and staring relegation in the face.

Reds manager Rafael Benitez caused a storm a year ago by naming a weakened side that lost at Craven Cottage and went a long way to keeping Fulham in the top flight.

With a Champions League semi-final again occupying his mind, he made eight changes.  less

Liverpool have the advantage after holding Arsenal to a draw in the Champions League quarter-final, first leg at The Emirates.

Emmanuel Adebayor headed Arsenal in front in powerful fashion from Robin   more...van Persie's cross after 23 minutes.

Arsenal's lead lasted only three minutes before Steven Gerrard set up Dirk Kuyt to score from close range.

The Gunners had a clear penalty appeal turned down after the break when Kuyt hauled back Alexander Hleb in the area.  less

Fernando Torres scored a hat-trick as Liverpool won their game in hand to move above Everton and into fourth place in the Premier League.

Torres superbly finished Dirk Kuyt's low cross from 12 yards and   more...struck after the break with a header following another cross from the Dutchman.

The Spain striker hit the post with a diving header before netting his third with a low finish from a tight angle.

Steven Gerrard scored the fourth with a spectacular long-range effort.  less

Liverpool enhanced their credentials for securing fourth place in the Premier League with a win over relegation-battling Bolton.

The Reds took the lead when Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen dived to save   more...a Steven Gerrard shot but bizarrely diverted the ball into his own net.

Ryan Babel drove in a shot after Dirk Kuyt hit the bar and Fabio Aurelio volleyed in to extend Liverpool's lead.

Tamir Cohen headed in for Bolton but it was too late to have an impact.  less

Liverpool maintained their lead at the top of the Barclays Premier Reserve League North with a hard-fought triumph over Manchester United at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Goals from Xabi Alonso (penalty)   more...and Harry Kewell secured a 2-0 win for Gary Ablett's men as they produced a disciplined display to edge out their third placed rivals in front of a bumper crowd in Warrington.

The Reds went into the match boasting, what was arguably their strongest line-up of the season, with Alonso, Kewell and the fit-again Daniel Agger - who was playing his first match since September 15 - all involved in the starting XI.  less

Fernando Torres' superb individual goal and a Steven Gerrard penalty pushed Liverpool up to fourth as Fulham again imploded in the last 10 minutes.

Torres twisted and turned to get the better of Aaron   more...Hughes, before beating goalkeeper Antti Niemi with a low shot.

Peter Crouch, who hit the bar with a first-half header, won the penalty when he was fouled by Carlos Bocanegra and Gerrard's spot-kick was unstoppable.

Niemi was superb for Fulham in goal, making a series of top-class saves.  less

Liverpool were denied a three-point haul from their Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid after conceding a late equaliser to Simao Sabrosa, a player once targeted by Reds boss Rafael Benitez.

The   more...unmarked Simao drilled home a low shot with seven minutes remaining to cancel out Robbie Keane's early opener for Liverpool as the two sides, having each won their first two games, remained unbeaten in Group D.

Liverpool controlled the first half and held a deserved lead at the break but Atletico, who had been unbeaten in their previous six home meetings with English opposition, fought back to salvage a point which could ease the pressure on under-fire coach Javier Aguirre.

The Champions League anthem at the start of the match was greeted by jeers and whistles from the home fans, while the Atletico supporters behind the goal also turned their backs to the pitch in protest against the punishment handed out by UEFA last week.

Atletico were given a three-match stadium ban in Europe and fined by UEFA following crowd disturbances and accusations of racism during their Champions League home match against Marseille.

Atletico have appealed against the punishment, which is why Wednesday's match was able to go ahead at the Vicente Calderon and not at least 300 kilometres away from Madrid.

However, there was no obvious repeat of those crowd disturbances or racist chanting during Wednesday's clash, which saw Liverpool quickly settle into their stride.

Benitez's troops, unbeaten in their last 15 matches, could barely have asked for an easier opening 45 minutes as they took an early lead through Keane before comfortably containing a toothless Atletico.

Keane's goal came not long after young Atletico midfielder Ignacio Camacho had headed over the first chance of the match following a Simao free-kick.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard created the chance with a superb pass through for Keane, who beat the Atletico offside trap before coolly slotting low past Leo Franco.

That was just the start Liverpool would have been hoping for and Gerrard and Xabi Alonso both then tried their luck from distance before Keane spurned a decent opening to double Liverpool's lead.

He again escaped the attentions of his markers to get on the end of Gerrard's right-wing cross, but the Irishman attempted an ambitious flick and ended up missing the ball.

At the other end a much-changed Atletico, who had lost their previous three league matches against Sevilla, Barcelona and arch rivals Real Madrid, looked devoid of ideas going forward in the first half.

The hosts finally gave their fans something to get excited about in the 40th minute when former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan unleashed a 25-yard drive that flew just wide of Jose Reina's far post.

Aside from that effort though, the Liverpool custodian, one of four Spanish players in the Liverpool line-up, had precious little to do before the break.

Atletico coach Aguirre, under pressure following three successive league defeats, decided it was time to change things around at the break and he sent on star striker Sergio Aguero for former Liverpool player Luis Garcia.

That change immediately appeared to give Atletico a lift as they twice came close to an equaliser soon after the break.

The first opening saw Maniche pick up a pass from Forlan on the far side of the area before firing in a shot that flew into the far corner of the net.

However, the Portuguese was left with his head in his hands - along with the majority of the stadium - as he noticed the offside flag had gone up.

From an almost identical position moments later Simao then drilled in a shot which Reina brilliantly helped onto the post and then gathered at the second attempt as Liverpool rode their luck.

Reina could do little about the goal that brought Atletico back on level terms in the 83rd minute however.

Simao was left in acres of space on the far side of the area and, after Forlan h  less

Dirk Kuyt's scissor-kick five minutes from time gave Liverpool all three points against 10-man Wigan in a pulsating game at Anfield.

Amr Zaki gave the visitors the lead after a mistake from Daniel Agger,   more...but Kuyt fired Liverpool level.

On the stroke of half-time Zaki scored a spectacular overhead-kick to restore Wigan's lead, before Antonio Valencia was sent off for two bookable offences.

The home side hit back through Albert Riera, before Kuyt's late winner.

The result is harsh on a Wigan side who, until Valencia's sending off, looked good value for at least a point.

Wigan played with great confidence and, with the inspirational Zaki up front, they regularly troubled the Liverpool defence.  less

Dirk Kuyt scored an injury-time winner as Liverpool came back from two goals down to beat 10-man Manchester City.

Stephen Ireland lashed in a shot to put City ahead and Javier Garrido curled a 22-yard   more...free-kick into the top corner to extend the home side's lead.

But Fernando Torres sidefooted home and, after City's Pablo Zabaleta was sent off for a tackle on Xabi Alonso, headed in to level for the visitors.

Kuyt dramatically decided the game late on when he slotted in at the far post.

Liverpool showed plenty of character and belief in completing a battling comeback which will only have served to enhance their title credentials.

The game was a match up between a City side who were the highest scorers in the Premier League before the encounter, while the Reds had the top-flight's meanest defence.

And they produced an action-packed match with plenty of drama.  less

Lucas Leiva grabbed Liverpool's winner as the Anfield side saw off the challenge of League One side Crewe.

Daniel Agger put the Reds ahead when he drove in a free-kick awarded for Michael O'Connor's foul   more...on David Ngog.

O'Connor atoned for his foul as he shot home from close range after keeper Diego Cavalieri parried Calvin Zola's header from a Billy Jones corner.

But Leiva timed a run to perfection to meet a Jermaine Pennant cross and headed in to wrap up a Reds win.  less

Liverpool were left lamenting a second-minute disallowed goal after they were held to a goalless draw at home by newly promoted Stoke.

Steven Gerrard had the ball in the back of the net after 76 seconds   more...from a free-kick - only for the goal to be controversially ruled out for offside.

Stoke continued to frustrate the home side as Thomas Sorensen saved Robbie Keane's 51st-minute strike.

And Andy Griffin's late goal-line clearance ensured the match was drawn.

After the heights of a 2-1 victory over rivals Manchester United last week, Liverpool will consider the solitary point a setback for their title ambitions, although they briefly took top spot in the Premier League before they were deposed by Arsenal.  less

Liverpool and Aston Villa played out a cagey goalless draw at Villa Park.

John Carew was denied by the feet of Pepe Reina, while David Ngog shot just over the bar after being set up by Robbie Keane in   more...a dour first half.

Keane was put clean through by Javier Mascherano after the break but scuffed his shot wide when in front of goal.

Substitute James Milner had a late chance to wrap up all three points on his return to the club, but Reds keeper Pepe Reina saved comfortably.

With Chelsea held by Tottenham, Liverpool had the chance to go top of the league on a ground where they have enjoyed plenty of success over the years.  less

Liverpool scraped into the group stages of the Champions League courtesy of a 118th minute goal from Dirk Kuyt against a valiant Standard Liege.

Kuyt sidefooted home at the far post to end a tortuous   more...night for the Reds.

They survived two early scares when keeper Pepe Reina produced superb saves in palming away strikes from Dieudonne Mbokani and Marouane Fellaini.

Liverpool were denied a penalty in extra-time when Oguchi Onyewu brought down Nabil El Zhar before Kuyt's goal.

The result and timing of the goal was harsh on the Belgian champions, who had proved stubborn opponents for Liverpool.

The Reds had been fortunate to leave Liege with a goalless draw in the first leg and were expected to show an improvement on home territory.  less

Spanish striker Fernando Torres struck a brilliant late winner as Liverpool made hard work of beating Sunderland.

Torres collected a Xabi Alonso pass, turned into space and rifled home a sensational drive   more...into Craig Gordon's bottom right-hand corner from 25 yards.

Sunderland did not deserve to lose and Daryl Murphy headed their best chance straight at goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

Gordon saved from Yossi Benayoun and debutant Robbie Keane unintentionally blocked Torres' shot before his winner.

After a turbulent couple of weeks for Liverpool which led to speculation in Saturday's newspapers boss Rafa Benitez might quit the club, it was a much-needed early season boost for the Reds.

Benitez has been frustrated over their failed attempts to sign Aston Villa's Gareth Barry and they could only draw 0-0 against Standard Liege on Wednesday in their Champions League third qualifying round first-leg match.



Keane annoyed with late goal
But Torres' brilliant late finish gives them the perfect start to the league season and takes the pressure off Benitez, who reiterated his commitment to the club before the game. With summer signing Keane making his league debut up front alongside Torres, much was expected from Liverpool's £46m strikeforce.  less

Liverpool's Champions League dream is still alive after Pepe Reina's first-half penalty save secured a goalless draw with Standard Liege in a tense third round qualifying tie at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne.   more...

Rafael Benitez's side struggled to impose their game on the Belgian champions throughout a tight contest and will now head into the second-leg at Anfield in two weeks time knowing victory is imperative if they are to progress to the group stage of the competition.




Ahead of the match the Reds were greeted by a wall of noise as the Liege faithful did their best to imitate Anfield's famous 12th man, a fact boldly highlighted by the 'Kop Rouches' banner that was decked across one of the stands of the 'Chaudron de Sclessin'.




It was a reception that illustrated the level of respect they have for a club with such similar traditions to their own, although they did not allow themselves to be overawed by the 2005 winners as they set about making life uncomfortable for Rafael Benitez's side from the start.




Indeed, it was the Reds of Belgium who were playing with the authority that had been expected from the Merseysiders and within seven minutes they left Liverpool shaken when a free-kick from the left was whipped into the penalty area allowing Marouane Fellaini to ghost in unmarked and bounce a free header against the post; with Pepe Reina performing miracles to somehow palm the rebounding ball to safety.




It was a warning for the visitors but one they did not take heed of and three minutes later they conceded a spot-kick when Wilfried Dalmat's cross from the right was harshly adjudged to have been handled in the area by Andrea Dossena - although the Italian's protests that the incident took place outside the area seemed more than justified.  less

Valerenga 1


Valerenga: Perkins, Jepsen, Muri, Reid, Storbaek, Berre, Strand (captain), Heastad, Zajic, Holm, Shelton. Subs - Dos Santos, Singh, Bolthof, Haidar, Nouri, Fellah, Jalland

Liverpool 4 Alonso,Torres,Benayoun,   more...Ngog


Liverpool: Cavalieri, Dossena, Carragher, Agger, Arbeloa, Benayoun, Gerrard (captain), Alonso, Kuyt, Torres, Keane. Subs - Hyypia, Ngog, El Zhar, Reina, Darby, Insua, Pacheco, Plessis, Spearing, Nemeth


TORRES ON TARGET IN REDS' ROMP


Liverpool extended their unbeaten run in pre-season to seven matches as they eased to a comfortable victory over Valerenga in Oslo.

Superb goals from Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun and David Ngog secured a 4-1 win for the Reds as Rafael Benitez' side stepped up a gear in their preparations for next week's Champions League qualifier in Belgium.

Ahead of the match, a buoyant crowd packed into the stadium to see Liverpool in action, but it was the hosts who made the more assured start to the proceedings and after a cagey opening 10 minutes it looked like the Reds could be in for a tough evening.

However, it was Rafael Benitez's side that made the first chance of any note when Fernando Torres fizzed a low drive just wide of the near post.

It set the tone for the remainder of the half and just seconds later Xabi Alonso flashed a 25-yard effort just over the crossbar after Dirk Kuyt's cross from the right had only been half-cleared by the Norwegian outfit.

It seemed only a matter of time before Liverpool would strike the opening goal of the match and after Steven Gerrard had smashed a 30-yard shot well over the bar, they duly obliged courtesy of an exquisite finish from Alonso.

A neat build-up down the right ended with Robbie Keane, who touched the ball back for the Euro 2008 winner to curl the ball beyond the despairing dive of Perkins and into the far corner of the net.

It was the Spaniard's second goal of the pre-season and followed on from his superbly executed spot-kick in the 4-0 win over Rangers four days earlier.

It was all plain-sailing for the visitors and not even the blow of losing skipper Steven Gerrard through what looked like a recurrence of a groin strain on 28 minutes could stop them from dominating the remainder of the half.

Robbie Keane went close to opening his account for his new club with an 18-yard shot that arrowed just wide of target while Jamaican defender Adrian Reid - who was making his Valerenga debut - was left to breath a huge sigh of relief when he saw his awkward defensive header crash back off his own post.

The Norwegians had been almost non-existent as an attacking force in the opening 45 minutes and so it came as a huge surprise to those packed inside the Ullevaal Stadion when they drew level within two minutes of the restart.

A flowing one-touch move down the right opened up the Liverpool defence allowing Bojan Zajic to coolly dispatch the ball beyond substitute keeper Pepe Reina and spark huge celebrations amongst his Valerenga teammates.

The home support began to dream of a shock Valerenga victory but the goal only served to shake the Reds into action and within 60 seconds normal service had been resumed courtesy of another virtuoso strike from Fernando Torres.

The Spanish hot-shot latched onto Dirk Kuyt's intelligent header before surging beyond Reid and nonchalantly slotting the ball past another substitute keeper, Bolthof, to put Liverpool 2-1 ahead.

From that moment on the pattern of play began to resemble that of the first period and Keane was once again cursing his luck less than a minute later when he dragged a low effort just wide after he was played through on the left side of the penalty area.

It was a frustrating night for the Irishman who is still to open his account for his new club although he did at times show glimpses of the quality he will offer Rafael Benitez's side.

The Reds boss once again opted to mix it up with a series of  less