Gerrard has that title feeling thanks to new Liverpool hero Torres

Liverpool were running out of ideas when Torres went on as a 70th-minute substitute and found a chink in Fulham's defence.

Gerrard kept his cool to convert a penalty soon after to wrap up a 2-0 win, but it was Torres's 81st-minute breakthrough that carried a significance the Liverpool skipper believes will become apparent to all when the finishing line approaches next May.

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The previous 80 minutes may have done little to promote the theory, but Gerrard insisted: "These are the wins that get you into the thick of the title race.

"People make a lot of fuss when top teams go head-to-head but grinding out results like this has had a big say in many a title success.

"You have to get into the habit of taking the points when you're not playing to your true level and I hope this was an indicationwe can do that now."

Benitez's excursions into the Spanish market have not always stood the closest scrutiny but he appears to have made a gilt-edged investment with Torres, who is already being saluted in familiar style by patrons of the Kop.

For years, they registered their regard for Robbie Fowler with a burst of clapping followed by a rapid-fire 'Fow-ler', and the same delivery, with an updated name, rang out after Torres slipped his marker and squeezed a shot between Antti Niemi and the near post.

The 23-year-old from Madrid has the makings of another bona fide Kop legend and Gerrard expects him to cement his position with more heroics.

He said: "That's the kind of player he is and why we signed him, to change games and win them. A lot of teams are going to come here and make it difficult for us by being really organised and when you get to 75 minutes or so without a goal you do start to worry.

"You fear it might be a stalemate but then you hear the ovation Nando gets just for taking his tracksuit top off and it gives everyone a lift.

"He is a big star for us but he also works hard for the team. He was the difference today and once he gets his sharpness and fitness back I'm sure he will be in the starting line-up and banging a load of goals in."

After all the slick one-touch moves that bemused Besiktas in midweek and led to several near-misses against Fulham, as Peter Crouch headed against the bar and Fabio Aurelio, Yossi Benayoun and Andriy Voronin forced flying saves from Niemi, it was a more basic approach that finally found a way through.

Torres latched on to a huge clearance from Pepe Reina to claim his eighth goal in 14 appearances and the Liverpool keeper raced the length of the pitch to join in the celebrations.

He had good cause to as well after proving himself the most accomplished footballing goalkeeper in the Premier League.

In these days of keepers needing quick feet as well as safe hands, Reina is exerting an increasing influence.

Gerrard said: "It was definitely an assist by Pepe but that is something he is always capable of.

"He doesn't just hoof it up the field and leave you to battle for a 50-50 ball. He actually passes it out from the back and you could see the difference it makes with our first goal.

"That 70-yard dash to join in the celebrations was the quickest I have seen him move. He and Nando are good pals but there was more to it than that. It said everything about the sheer relief we all felt."

Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez acknowledged his side had been undone by a master craftsman, but was still deflated at the way they faltered in the final few minutes again.

He said: "We could have defended better. Coming to places like Anfield is very difficult for clubs our size, and that was apparent when they sent on Torres, Ryan Babel and Lucas in the second half. I mean, £40million off the bench isn't bad, is it?"

LIVERPOOL (4-4-2): Reina 7; Arbeloa 6, Carragher 7, Hyypia 8, Aurelio 6; Benayoun 7, Mascherano 7 (Lucas 81min), Gerrard 7, Riise 5 (Babel 62, 6); Voronin 7 (Torres 70, 7), Crouch 6.

FULHAM (4-4-2): Niemi 7; Baird 6, Hughes 6, Stefanovic 6, Bocanegra 6; Davies 6, Davis 6, Murphy 5, Dempsey 5 (Kamara 69, 6); Healy 5 (Bouazza 60, 6), Kuqi 5. Booked: Murphy, Dempsey.

Man of the match: Sami Hyypia.

Referee: Steve Tanner.