Liverpool defeated Blackburn 4-0 on an emotional afternoon at Anfield as both teams wore black armbands in a tribute to the 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster. Fernando Torres was in sparkling form scoring two magnificent first-half goals as the Merseysider’s notched-up their 20th league win of the season. The Spaniard brought down a Carragher pass with his chest before swivelling and cracking a right-footed volley over Paul Robinson for the Red’s first. His and Liverpool’s second came from a Xabi Alonso free-kick as the forward powered a wonderful header past the Rover’s keeper. Agger added a superb third as Ngog completed the goal rout with a header a minute from time.

A thigh injury kept Captain Steven Gerrard on the bench with Yossi Benayoun replacing the midfielder in the centre of the park. Javier Mascherano returned from suspension, taking the place of Lucas Leiva, as Rafa Benitez also made two changes at the back; Martin Skrtel making way for Daniel Agger and Emiliano Insua coming in for Fabio Aurelio at left-back.

Just like against Chelsea in midweek, Liverpool got off to an excellent start. With just five minutes gone on the clock a long ball into the box by Jamie Carragher was chested down by Fernando Torres, who turned on a six-pence before smashing an unstoppable volley into the far corner.

Javier Mascherano, Kuyt and Fernando Torres all had chances to add a second, but Robinson did well to save from the trio. The Liverpool number ‘9’ almost grabbed a second, but his follow-up from a Mascherano shot flew over the bar with Robinson beaten.

Fernando Torres though made no mistake with his next chance as the forward deservedly doubled Liverpool’s lead just after the half hour mark. The Spaniard beat his marker in the air to power a bullet header past Robinson in the Rover’s goal.

The away team had yet to manage a single attempt on goal and the second Torres goal realistically killed-off any chance of Blackburn Rovers coming back into the game.

Liverpool started the second-half camped in the Blackburn half. A great recovery tackle from Nelsen halted a Torres run into the box as the forward looked to get both his and Liverpool’s third of the one-sided contest.

With ten minutes gone in the second period the shot count read 14 to 1 in Liverpool’s favour. The Blackburn boss obviously wasn’t happy with his team’s performance, and by the 66th minute had used his three substitutions.

The only remaining question was if Torres could grab his hat-trick, but with 73 minutes gone on the clock Rafa Benitez brought on El Zhar for the Spaniard.

Liverpool had a Riera header cleared off the line as the home team looked to add to their impressive goal difference.

The home fans however did not have to wait long as the Reds added two more in the remaining seven minutes. A super strike from Daniel Agger made it 3-0 to the Reds. The defender ran forwards into space before blasting the ball into the top right-hand corner from 30 yards out. And with one minute left of normal time Ngog headed the ball over the line following after the ball was headed back by Carragher.


- Match Stats: Liverpool 4-0 Blackburn Rovers

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Benayoun, Mascherano, Alonso (Lucas Leiva, 86), Riera, Torres (El Zhar, 73) Kuyt (Ngog, 84).

Booked: Alonso, Agger

Goals: Torres 5, 33, Agger 83, Ngog, 89

Blackburn: Robinson, Andrews, Ooijer, Nelsen, Givet, Mokoena (Doran, 46), Dunn (Villanueva, 60), Tugay (Olsson, 66), Warnock, Treacy, Samba.

Photo: J.A. Sirvent