The Spain number ‘9’ came off the bench to score a dramatic late goal as the Reds produced a late fight-back to defeat Portsmouth 3-2. With all the goals coming in the second-half, the visitors had to come-back twice from behind to clinch all three points in a frenetic finale. The Liverpool number ‘9’ turned the game around after coming on as a second-half substitute. With five minutes remaining, Torres set-up team-mate Kuyt for the equaliser, before crashing home a header in the final minute to send the travelling away support wild.

The Reds travelled to the South coast looking to bounce back from their midweek defeat away to Everton in the FA Cup. A win for Liverpool would see them reclaim top-spot ahead of Manchester United’s clash versus West Ham.

There was very little action in the opening 45 minutes as both sides found the conditions tough. Liverpool looked the stronger but neither side could find a way past the opponents defence.

Following a goalless first-half, the home side took the lead as Nugent slotted the ball past Reina. The striker picked up Peter Crouch's throughball before beating the Spanish shot-stopper with a low shot.

With 69 minutes gone on the clock, Fabio Aurelio pulled the scores level with a brilliantly executed free-kick. The Pompey keeper handled Crouch’s backpass in the box. The Brazilian cracked a powerful left-footed shot past England goalkeeper David James, and several Portsmouth team-mates who had packed the goal.

With just under 15 minutes remaining, Rafa Benitez brought on Fernando Torres, but it was relegation threatened Pompey who surprised the Reds. Herman Hreidarsson headed Portsmouth back in front as the defender met Nadir Belhadj's free-kick in a crowded box to nod the ball past Reina.

The Liverpool number ‘9’ was soon in the thick of the action and in the 85th minute some good work from the Spaniard found Kuyt inside the area. The Dutch attacker found some space in the area before firing past James.

Kuyt’s goal was a hammer-blow to Portsmouth, but it was going to get a lot worse for Tony Adams’ side. Fernando Torres, who had been on the pitch for little more than 10 minutes, rose well in the box to head Benayoun’s pin-point cross into the back of the net.

- Match Stats: Portsmouth 2-3 Liverpool

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Basinas, Davis, Mullins (Kranjcar, 46), Belhadj, Crouch, Nugent.

Booked: Hreidarsson.

Goals: Nugent 62, Hreidarsson 78.

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Dossena (Alonso, 67), Arbeloa, Mascherano, Aurelio, Babel (Torres, 76), Ngog (Kuyt, 56), Benayoun.

Goals: Aurelio 69, Kuyt 85, Torres 90.