Source: Liverpool_Echo
Liverpool FC 3 Sunderland 0 - Fernando Torres nets twice in fantastic Reds win
A Fernando Torres double helped Liverpool to a 3-0 win over Sunderland in the chase for a Champions League place. [LNB]The Spanish striker handed the Reds the perfect start with a goal of breathtaking brilliance just two minutes in. Glen Johnson gave Liverpool a two-nil lead at the break with Torres adding his second just before the hour mark. [LNB]Liverpool move up a place into fifth, four points behind fourth placed Tottenham, who have a game in hand. [LNB]With just one change from the side that lost at Old Trafford last week, Rafael Benitez opted to go 4-4-2. [LNB]By bringing in Ryan Babel for Lucas, Steven Gerrard moved back alongside Javier Mascherano in midfield with Dirk Kuyt joining Torres in attack. [LNB]Steve Bruce made two changes from the team that drew at Aston Villa in midweek, with Lorik Cana and Phil Bardsley coming in for John Mensah and Alan Hutton. [LNB]A first minute chance for Liverpool provided a taste of what was to come. Daniel Agger's back post volley from Kuyt's flick required Craig Gordon to pull off an acrobatic save at his near post. [LNB]Within seconds Torres had put Liverpool in front with an incredible individual effort. Finding himself wide on the left, the number nine teased Turner and Bardsley before cutting between the two to curl a perfectly weighted ball over Gordon into the far corner. [LNB]Chances for Mascherano and then Babel saw Liverpool continue to heap pressure on the visitors who mustered just one shot in the opening 45 minutes. [LNB]Mascherano flashed another shot inches wide before Torres somehow failed to double his and Liverpool's lead after a neat one-two between Gerrard and Maxi inside the ea. [LNB]The pair linked up again soon after, this time Maxi's cute flick finding Gerrard's run towards goal. Setting himself up, Gerrard dragged his shot across the six-yard box and wide. [LNB]Next to go close was Agger who hit a half volley into the ground and wide. [LNB]We hadn't had 20 minutes yet.
