Liverpool 4-0 Blackburn: Fernando Torres helps Reds see off Rovers

The joke they love to tell at Manchester United is that the closest Liverpool have got to the Premier League trophy is when Blackburn took it home from Anfield 14 years ago.

You can be sure they're not laughing at Old Trafford now.

While United's confidence has been punctured by the 4-1 hammering they suffered at the hands of their closest rivals on home soil last month, Liverpool reacted to disappointment of the midweek Champions League defeat by Chelsea with a performance that had 'champions' stamped all over it.

True, Sam Allardyce's men offered only token resistance, but Liverpool's likely lads took full advantage.

They have momentum at their backs. And they also have a manager who is starting to play on Sir Alex Ferguson's nerves.

It says much about Rafa Benitez's state of mind that he was barely satisfied with a result that could give his team the edge should the fight come down to goal difference.

Fernando Torres added to his reputation as the best striker in England, if not Europe, with two classic strikes.

Then Daniel Agger and substitute David Ngog finished off the slaughter.

Benitez said: "In the first half we scored twice and it should have been more, then we did the same in the second half.

"For me, it was good to win after the disappointment of the Chelsea game - but it could have been even better.

"I wanted us to score as many goals as possible because in this league anything can happen."

If only Torres hadn't spent much of the season trying to recover from winning Euro 2008 as well as healing his overworked hamstrings.

After Anfield had remembered the 96 fans killed at Hillsborough 20 years ago this week, the Spaniard needed less than five minutes to pay his own tribute with a goal of beauty.

Blackburn had Torres where they wanted him, with his back to goal surrounded by Ryan Nelsen and Andre Ooijer when Jamie Carragher's pass found him on the right-hand angle of the penalty area.

Even when Torres produced a brilliant piece of chest control to bring the ball under his spell he looked to be heading down a dead end, until he swivelled to connect with a half-volley that left his markers stunned and Paul Robinson stranded.

Torres held his hands out to the heavens to pay his own homage to the lost souls of Leppings Lane, saying afterwards: "Yes, it was for the fans."

Torres should have scored again, blazing over after Robinson had blocked Javier Mascherano's shot.

Then the Blackburn keeper pulled off an England-class reaction save to keep out Dirk Kuyt's close-range header.

But when Torres rose like he had been shot out of a cannon to get above the towering Chris Samba to meet Xabi Alonso's inswinging free-kick with his forehead in the 33rd minute, this time Robinson was given no hope.

After Torres was substituted 16 minutes from the end - and with Steven Gerrard left on the bench because of a groin problem - Liverpool still added more goals.

Rovers backed off Daniel Agger when he collected possession in the centre-circle, the Danish defender celebrated a rare start by striding forward to unleash a 30-yard blast that flew high past Robinson.

Ngog completed the rout in the final minute, nodding home after substitute Lucas had headed across the face of goal.

Allardyce said: "I don't think we were complacent after beating Spurs last week. It was more a case of fear."

See, even Fergie's mates are running scared.

Man of the match: Fernando Torres

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