Torres sends Liverpool back to the top

Fernando Torres sent Liverpool back to the top of the Premier League as Rafael Benitez’s men plunged Blackburn deeper into trouble at the other end of the table with a 4-0 win at Anfield.

The Spanish striker ensured the contest was over by half-time, following up a fifth-minute volley with a header after 33 minutes to take his goal tally for the season to 14.

A long-range strike from Danish centreback Daniel Agger, seven minutes from the end, and a last-minute goal for young striker David Ngog completed a win that will have revived Liverpool’s spirits after their Champions League defeat by Chelsea on the same pitch in midweek.

The win lifted Liverpool two points clear of Manchester United ahead of the champions’ match at Sunderland later on Saturday.