Liverpool registered only their second league victory this year with a thrilling 3-2 win over Middlesbrough at Anfield on Saturday.

Fernando Torres scored a brilliant hat trick for Liverpool after Boro had taken an early lead in the 9th minute. Stewart Downing's goal late in the game provided a ray of hope for Boro but Liverpool held on to their lead to secure all three points.

Liverpool looked shaky in the defense at the start of the match and Tuncay took full advantage to put his side in the lead, heading home Downing's curling free kick in the ninth minute. The hosts were struggling to create chances but were gifted a goal in the 28th minute when Torres latched on to a back pass by Julio Arca and poke the ball past Mark Schwarzer.

Liverpool took the lead in the next minute with Torres once again on target, smashing home Fabio Aurelio's cross from 25 yards out. Boro continued to press forward in search of an equalizer but Liverpool doubled the lead in the 61st minute when Torres was the first to reach a long pass and with Schwarzer having raced forward to meet the ball, was left with a simple tap in to bag his hat trick.

Boro tried to rally late in the game and reduced the deficit in the 83rd minute when Downing cut in from the left flank before smashing the ball through Pepe Reina's legs to score his side's second goal of the match.

However Boro's chances of scoring an equalizer received a big blow when Jeremie Aliadiere was sent off for a light slap on Mascherano and Liverpool managed to hold out for the remainder of the game to collect all three points and remain in touch with Everton for the Champions League spot.