Torres secures Reds win

The Spaniard has now scored in eight successive home league games which equals Roger Hunt's club record.

Much of the game had been dominated by City fans venting their anger at the likely sacking of manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, but it was Torres who again stole the show.

City were quicker and sharper in the opening stages, Michael Johnson and Stephen Ireland impressing in midfield. Liverpool had plenty of possession, but initially created nothing of substance apart from a Ryan Babel header that drifted harmlessly over the crossbar.

Torres then saw an angled cross-shot skid just wide of the far post, while Steven Gerrard - from 30-yards out - had goalkeeper Joe Hart flying across his box.

Liverpool were now improving, and when Emiliano Insua's pass inside to Gerrard found his captain 20-yards out, a swerving shot forced Hart into an excellent save to his left.

After the break, only a fine interception from Vedran Corluka stopped Gerrard taking advantage of a clever Torres set-up, while Dirk Kuyt headed the resulting corner just wide.

City responded with a fine Elano free-kick from 20-yards that had Jose Reina worried before rebounding off his near post.

But in the 58th minute, Torres got his customary goal. A poor Michael Ball clearance was headed back into the Spanish international's path, and he took on and beat Richard Dunne before angling his finish across Hart and into the far corner.

Torres was looking for more as the game entered the closing stages, and having the beating for pace of Corluka and Dunne, he almost chipped Hart on the run.