This Liverpool display was light years ahead of the miserable defeat against Lyon in the Champions League. After four defeats in a row the storm clouds had been gathering over Anfield.

Torres, who was playing after missing last two games, was trouble from the start and drew a foul from Patrice Evra which brought about the first good chance of the game with 15 minutes gone.

For all the home side were on top, Yossi Benayoun who had another good game did frustrate at times by choosing to pass when he should have had a go. Twice he refused openings by opting to look for a team-mate and the opportunities were lost. But he is one of Liverpool’s most creative players and rose to the occasion in Gerrard’s absence.

His pass to Torres for his team’s first goal on 65 minutes was an absolute gem as he split Evra and Nemanja Vidic. Torres was on to it, shrugged off Rio Ferdinand’s rather tame challenge and crashed his shot into the roof of the net.

Five minutes of added time were signalled, which proved enough for Liverpool to get another goal. The move started with Carragher winning the ball on the edge of his own area. Kuyt took the ball forward and fed substitute David Ngog, who coolly tucked his shot into the corner.

For Livepool this is going to be a season of many twists and turns in the title race.

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Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez denied the fact that there was no gamble in playing Steven Gerrard against Lyon (1-2) game last night. Steven Gerrard lasted for only 25 minutes in first half when he started to feel pain in his groin.

While speaking to Sky Sports Rafael Benitez said: “It was not a gamble to play Gerrard. He wanted to play and had trained normally for two days.”

“He was given the all-clear by the doctor, and what happened was just bad luck. He felt something wrong in his groin, and it was wise to come off. He felt that he had a problem with his groin and it could have been more serious so we had to change him.”

It was Liverpool fourth successive defeat in all competitions for the first time since 1987 and sees them sitting third in the group for champions league title race, six points behind Lyon and three behind Fiorentina.

Liverpool inspiring skipper is now a genuine doubt for Sunday’s mega-clash against Manchester United.

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