Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool 1 West Bromwich 0
Striker Fernando Torres may still be some way short of his lethal best but he underlined his quality - and importance to Liverpool - with a brilliant strike to defeat 10-man West Brom at Anfield.[LNB]Two knee operations at the back-end of last season and a late return from the World Cup have impacted on the 26-year-old's fitness and match sharpness.[LNB]But a clinical strike midway through the second half - his first Barclays Premier League goal since March 28 and 50th at Anfield in all competitions - proved too good for promoted West Bromwich.[LNB] Winner: Torres hits the mark for the first time 11 games to take all three points at Anfield[LNB][LNB] Torres was rested for the midweekEuropa League play-off trip to Trabzonspor and the decision wasjustified with victory in Turkey without him and, more importantly,rewarded with the winning goal against the Baggies.[LNB]He had not scored in 10 matches forclub and country coming into this game as he has been working his wayback to fitness but even a 75% fit Torres provides a threat foropposition defences.[LNB]Torres had three half-chances in the opening 45 minutes but none could have been classed a genuine opportunity.[LNB]His first in only the third minutewas curled straight into the arms of former Liverpool goalkeeper ScottCarson before a close-range strike was then crowded out at the nearpost.[LNB]His third sight of goal, in the 15th minute, was an indicator of where the Spain international is in terms of sharpness.[LNB] Woeful: Roy can't watch as Liverpool waste another opportunity[LNB]Martin Skrtel's header sent MilanJovanovic charging down the centre of the pitch but Torres washalf-a-yard short in reaching the pass as a sliding Gabriel Tamascleared the danger.[LNB]Liverpool dominated possession but there were a couple of occasions when West Bromwich threatened to make them pay.[LNB]Marc-Antoine Fortune, making hisfirst appearance for the club since he returned from Celtic, fired in alow shot which goalkeeper Jose Reina collected at the second attemptwhile late in the half James Morrison sliced a long-range shot justwide.[LNB]New signing Raul Meireles, given thenumber four shirt vacated by Alberto Aquilani's loan to Juventus, wouldhave been hugely underwhelmed by what he saw.[LNB] To the rescue: Kuyt and Torres celebrate after linking up for the winner[LNB]It is doubtful, though, whether thedisplay would have been enough to have had left-back Paul Konchesky,also watching from the stands, reconsidering whether to complete on hismove from Fulham in the next 24 hours. [LNB]Four minutes after the intervalSteven Gerrard controlled the ball on his chest before attempting aspeculative 40-yard volley which dropped harmlessly wide of Carson'sleft-hand post.[LNB]West Brom midfielder was off-targetwith two long-range efforts while the closest Liverpool came to scoringwas when Martin Skrtel hooked a half-cleared Torres cross narrowly wideof the right-hand post.[LNB] New boy: Raul Meireles poses with a Liverpool shirt ahead of the clash with West Bromwich Albion[LNB] That was until Baggies defenderJonas Olsson almost gifted them a goal when he attempted to roll Tamas'pass back to Carson but sent it past the far upright.[LNB]The goal eventually came in the 65thminute when Torres combined with Dirk Kuyt down the left and when histeam-mate returned the ball to the edge of the penalty area the Spainstriker expertly shifted his position to volley into the turf and pastCarson.[LNB]Seven minutes later he almost had his second when he side-footed Gerrard's far-post cross straight at Carson.[LNB] Off you go: James Morrison's lunge on Fernando Torres earned his a red card[LNB][LNB] Eight minutes from time he wasdenied again when Kuyt and Gerrard worked the ball across the top ofthe penalty area only for the Spaniard's strike to be charged down byGonzalo Jara with the aid of an arm - unseen by referee Lee Probert.[LNB]However, the referee did spot Morrison's lunge at Torres and responded with a straight red card.[LNB]Torresdeparted after another 89-minute work-out safe in the knowledge he isgradually edging closer to his prolific best and Liverpool had securedtheir 2000th league victory.[LNB] Premier League live: Follow the action from Sunday's gamesI'm no Javier! Meireles vows to wow Liverpool after sealing £11.5m moveAlbion keeper Scott Carson not expecting a happy return to AnfieldWEST BROM FC
