REDS LATE SHOW SEES OFF FULHAM
Fernando Torres came off the bench to inspire Liverpool to victory as Rafa Benitez's men left it late to see off Fulham at a flood-lit Anfield.
The Spain international broke the deadlock with a fine solo goal nine minutes from time after it had looked like Lawrie Sanchez's men would escape with a fortunate point.
Steven Gerrard put the seal on a 2-0 win with a well-struck penalty four minutes later as the Reds clinched all three points and only their second home league victory of the season.
Liverpool dominated throughout but struggled to recapture the prowess in front of goal that saw them hit eight past Besiktas in midweek as a combination of poor finishing and heroic goalkeeping kept the visitors in the game.
Rafael Benitez started with the same line-up that served him so well against the Turks and they enjoyed a bright opening with Sami Hyypia forcing Anti Niemi into a great save with a 20-yard strike.
And the Finnish centre back was at it again less than a minute later but this time he failed to direct his header after Andriy Voronin picked him out with a delightful cross from the left.
Steven Gerrard was next to try his luck but he drilled over from 20-yards after Voronin mis-kicked Alvaro Arbeloa's fine cutback.
The visitors responded with their best effort of the half as former Reds midfielder Danny Murphy forced Pepe Reina into action with a dipping volley from the edge of the area.
A frustrating first-half could have ended on a high when Peter Crouch directed a towering header goalwards on 44 minutes but he saw his header crash back off the crossbar.
It was a similar story after the restart as Liverpool upped their game and began to create chances at will.
Yossi Benayoun was the first to hold his head in anguish when he somehow fired over from five yards after Niemi had spilled Fabio Aurelio's free-kick, before the keeper redeemed himself on 57 minutes with a smart save to deny Voronin.
The Ukrainian then missed his kick when well positioned after great work by Gerrard and he was left frustrated again moments later as he dragged his effort wide of the far post following a neat interchange with Benayoun.
It was one-way traffic and the Israeli was next to test the Fulham stopper with a brilliant curling effort as Liverpool turned the screw.
It looked like it was going to be one of those days until substitute Fernando Torres produced a moment of magic that caused Anfield to erupt.
The Spaniard, who replaced Andriy Voronin on 71 minutes, took down Reina's long clearance and cut inside Aaron Hughes before firing in at the near post.
And it was all over four minutes later when Steven Gerrard converted from the spot after Peter Crouch was tripped by Carlos Bocanegra.
didn't catch the match, is it the lack of finish again and that's why they score only 2 despite having 66% possession?