Super Torres strikes to lift Anfield gloom
RAFAEL BENITEZ hailed the character of his Liverpool side after they ended their worst run in 22 years with an ego-boosting victory over bitter rivals Manchester United at Anfield.
Four successive defeats had thrown Benitez’s future in doubt, but not for the first time it was Fernando Torres who came to his boss’s rescue with a clinical second half finish.
United’s Nemanja Vidic was then sent off for a third time in this fixture for a second booking and was soon followed down the tunnel by Reds midfielder Javier Mascherano, penalised for a similar offence.
But the Reds weren’t to be denied and substitute David Ngog wrapped up a deserved victory in added time to the relief of his proud manager.
“The players showed character and the fans were behind the players, we had 12 men,” Benitez said. “The mentality was good, everyone was working together, from the keeper to the last fan on the Kop. The players answered a lot of questions, that is the most important thing.” He added: “For me, this result proves the team is better than people think — and it shows the character and quality we have.
Benitez also revealed afterwards that the decision to start with Torres after two weeks on the sidelines was made only on the coach on the way to the stadium.
But what a gamble it proved to be as the Spaniard, although clearly not 100 per cent, seized his one and only chance – coolly shrugging off Rio Ferdinand and powering an unstoppable shot past Edwin van der Sar.
Up to that point, Liverpool, spurred on by a raucous Anfield crowd, probably enjoyed the better of it with Fabio Aurelio twice going closest to breaking the deadlock.
The introduction of Michael Owen sparked boos from the Kop end before Vidic and Mascherano’s departure added spice to the finale.
But youngster Ngog made sure of the points for the Reds with a cool finish from Lucas’ through ball.