Torres 53

Liverpool notched only their second EPL win of the season, thanks to a long-awaited goal from Fernando Torres, with a more fluent display than for some time against a poor Blackburn outfit.

The game’s three goals came in a frenzied five minutes early in the second half, after Liverpool had dominated the opening 45 minutes – Torres’s winner capping an improved performance from the previously out-of-sorts striker.

Rovers’ former England keeper Paul Robinson made a string of saves, denying Joe Cole, Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Steven Gerrard. While Lucas headed a fine chance over from close range and Maxi Rodriguez was inches away from a pacy, pin-point Gerrard cross.

But the Reds had to wait until the 48^th minute to break the deadlock, Kyrgiakos heading Gerrard’s left-wing corner into the net via Rovers defender Martin Olsson’s attempted clearance.

Three minutes later, Blackburn levelled in farcical fashion when El-Hadj Diouf’s scuffed shot from Benjani’s cross was cleared off the line by Paul Konchesky, only for the ball to cannon back into the net off Jamie Carragher’s face.

But Liverpool restored their advantage only two minutes later when Joe Cole’s left-footed cross from the left flank was half-volleyed home by Torres from eight yards.