Fernando Torres returned to the Liverpool starting line-up for the visit of Blackburn Rovers on Sunday. The start was his first since appearing against Reading in the FA Cup replay on January 13. And it was to be a happy return for the Spaniard who grabbed the winning goal before being substituted in the 89th minute.

The Merseysiders push for a top-four finish was boosted with a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers on Sunday. Steve Gerrard scored first, before Andrews equalised from the penalty-spot, but with two minutes to go before the break, the Red number 9 slotted home the winner. - Premier League Table -

The Spaniard was in the middle of most of the Red’s early attacking moves. Torres was looking lively and after skipping past two challenges the striker was felled by Nzonzi, not the last foul the forward was going to be on the end off.

Liverpool went ahead on 19 minutes. A one-two between Yossi Benayoun and Steven Gerrard found the latter in the box, and the captain’s shot evaded Paul Robinson’s dive.

Fernando Torres’ movement was causing Blackburn’s defence plenty of headaches, and the forward was on the receiving end of another late challenge, this time for Michel Salgado. The former Real Madrid defender became the first player to be booked for his foul on the ex-Atletico Madrid striker.

The visitors were asking very few questions of the Liverpool defence, but Blackburn were to draw level from the spot. Jamie Carragher handled in the box, and although Pepe Reina guessed right, Andrew’s shot beat the keeper.

The Merseysiders regained the lead just before the break as Torres struck league goal number 13 for the season. Samba’s clearance fell to Maxi, and the Argentine’s square ball across the box was rolled into an empty net by the Anfield number ‘9’.

Had it not been for Samba, the Gerrard and Torres partnership would have produced a Liverpool third for the home team shortly after the interval. The Rover’s defender however managed to just do enough to hamper Torres before he could get a shot off.

The visitors started to grow in confidence as the second-half went on. Hoilett curled an effort just wide and Reina spread himself well to deny Kalinic an equaliser.

As the game drew on, Liverpool looked to defend their lead as Rovers pushed more men forward in search of a leveller.

Fernando Torres was replaced by Ngog with just one minute remaining of normal time. The match-winner left the pitch to a standing ovation from the Anfield supporters.

Reina had to come to Liverpool’s rescue again in stoppage time, saving from Samba. And despite a late rally from Blackburn, the Reds held on for a valuable three points in their quest for a top-four finish.


- Match Stats: Liverpool 2-1 Blackburn

Liverpool: Reina, Mascherano, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio (Insua, 38), Benayoun (Babel, 79), Gerrard, Lucas Leiva, Maxi, Kuyt, Torres (Ngog, 89)

Booked: Lucas Leiva

Goals: Gerrard 19, Torres 43

Blackburn: Robinson, Salgado, Samba, Givet, Olsson (Chimbonda, 49), Hoilett (Roberts, 65), Nzonzi (Grella, 60), Andrews, Pedersen, Diouf, Kalinic

Booked: Salgado, Chimbonda, Olsson, Nzonzi, Kalinic

Goals: Andrew 40 (pen)