Reds rally to keep hopes alive

As a statement of support for under-pressure coach Rafael Benitez it was a pretty conclusive effort both on and off the pitch as Fernando Torres' double, in addition to a late Steven Gerrard penalty and a Peter Crouch header, saw the Reds through a potentially difficult night after Lisandro Lopez had levelled for the Portuguese outfit.

It means the planned meeting between Benitez and co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks immediately after the Anfield encounter with Manchester United on December 16 will take place just six days after Liverpool's European fate is decided in the Stade Velodrome.

And, if the Kop have their way, win or lose Benitez will be hanging around, in their eyes the clear winner after an unseemly stand-off that has developed between the popular Spaniard and the men who run the club.

With his name being chanted from all corners of the ground, Benitez emerged from the tunnel, acknowledged the support, then immediately pointed to the pitch as if to ensure their fervour was directed towards his team.

Already, the £26million Benitez paid to Atletico Madrid for Torres looks like a shrewd deal. The opener, a firm downward header after Gerrard had picked him out, completely unmarked, with a right-wing corner, was his ninth goal in 16 games for Liverpool, although strangely his first in Europe.

Everything changed just after the half hour mark though as Liverpool's passing suddenly became sloppy and Porto seized their chance. Alvaro Arbeloa completely misread the flight of Przemyslaw Kazmierczak's cross and as it drifted over the full-back's head, Lopez arrived with perfect timing to power home.

The Reds became hesitant as they went in search of a winner and if it needed a master craftsman to unpick the Porto defence, thankfully for Liverpool, in Torres they had one.

And, after collecting Arbeloa's through ball, the 23-year-old retained the calmest head in the stadium to finish superbly.

Liverpool ploughed on regardless and when Milan Stepanov handled Gerrard's free-kick, the Reds skipper ignored the fact Torres was on a hat-trick to stroke home the spot-kick himself, before substitute Crouch added a fourth three minutes from time.