Fernando Torres helped Liverpool to a 2-0 win over rivals Manchester United with his team’s first of the afternoon. A cool finish from the Spaniard, who is yet to reach full fitness, plus a stoppage-time goal from Ngog, halted a run of four consecutive defeats.

"I wasn't really at my best. We knew before the game I couldn't play to 100 per cent because I had some pain in some actions, but in games like this the pain doesn't matter."

The striker’s goal took his tally for the season to nine in nine league appearances. The Liverpool number ‘9’ held off a challenge from Rio Ferdinand before beating the Man U keeper with a shot into the roof of the net to send the home crowd wild. "I feel a bit of pain when I shoot across, so I could only shoot towards the near post - it was the only thing I could do!"

The three important points from the Premier League clash at Anfield move the Reds just four behind Sunday's opponents United, and six behind leaders Chelsea. "I am really happy for the fans and the players and we will enjoy this. We are in the race again. We knew before the game that we had to win and we did it. Now we have a bit of confidence but we have to keep it going on Wednesday in the Carling Cup against Arsenal. Then we have to be focused for Fulham. But we feel like a strong team again because we're working all together like in the past.”