Crouch comes in from the cold to ease Benitez pain

Crouch has spent much of the season on the bench — apparently not the man who Benitez believes will gel with the club's record signing Fernando Torres.

In desperate need of a victory to lift the gloom at Anfield, Benitez finally gave the ungainly England striker his chance.

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And Crouch responded with a brilliant display, scoring one goal and making another as Liverpool finally returned to winning ways.

Common sense has been a scarce commodity at Anfield recently. The behaviour of the club's American owners has been remarkable and Benitez has made a few questionable decisions of his own — such as rotating his players like crazy and growing a dodgy beard.

But with the club stagnating in the worst run of form since he took over in 2004, the 'Liverpool manager demonstrated a degree of clear thinking by picking Crouch for only his fifth Premiership start of the season.

The England striker was one of five changes made from the team that crashed to defeat at West Ham in midweek.

Liverpool, seeking their first league win in six games, began brightly but their passing patterns found no way past the disciplined lines of the Sunderland defence.

Just before the break, Jermaine Pennant did manage to tee up Torres, but the £21million striker's header was weak and easy for Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon to catch.

For all Liverpool's admirable desire to pass and move, an old-fashioned up and under generated one of the better chances of a sterile first half. Jamie Carragher hoofed the ball high towards Crouch who was shoved in the back by Nyron Nosworthy.

The free-kick was rolled short to Javier Mascherano and the Argentine tried his luck from long range with Gordon off his line, but his attempt sailed over the bar.

Sunderland were forced to reorganise shortly after the start when Kieran Richardson, one of four former Manchester United players in the visitors' line-up, limped off. He was replaced by new signing Rada Prica.

But the enforced change made little difference as the visitors worked tirelessly to keep Liverpool's highlyrated attack at bay. Their ambition was limited whenever they got the ball. However their reluctance to throw men forward was understandable given their poor away record.

Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina was only called into action once in the first half, comfortably saving a powder- puff shot from Sunderland skipper Dean Whitehead.

For all the mix of nationalities on the pitch for Liverpool, the breakthrough in the 57th minute came with a goal made and scored in England.

Carragher, forced to play at rightback to accommodate Martin Skrtel at the centre of defence, put in an inviting cross. Crouch then produced the deserved finish, rising above Jonny Evans and heading into the bottom corner for his eighth goal of the season.

Minutes later the England striker came close to doubling Liverpool's lead.

Pennant's cross found Crouch in space and the beanpole forward attempted one of his unlikely bicycle kicks. He connected sweetly but Gordon was on his toes to save.

Steven Gerrard was first to the rebound and his shot was deflected wide by a Sunderland defender.

From the subsequent corner, Crouch's header was cleared off the line by Phil Bardsley.

Crouch's invention appeared to spark his strike partner Torres. On the hour, he fizzed in a shot on the half-volley that Sunderland keeper Gordon did well to palm over the bar.

The Spaniard would not be denied and added Liverpool's second goal after 66 minutes.

Crouch won a header in the middle of the pitch to put Torres in the clear and Torres did the rest with a powerful shot, although Gordon might have saved it if he had stayed on his feet.

Sunderland were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty in the 73rd minute when Daryl Murphy's shot struck Carragher's outstretched arm.

Steven Gerrard added a third goal in the 88th minute, firing home a penalty after Nosworthy was adjudged to have fouled Pennant.