Liverpool vs West Bromwich Albion ( English Premier League ) 29 August 2010...

Liverpool 1
West Bromwich Albion 0
Scorer: Torres (65)

Attendance: 41,194 FT (16:51)



Fernando Torres struck his 50th Anfield goal in all competitions as Liverpool clinched a narrow 1-0 success against West Brom on Sunday afternoon.

El Nino volleyed home his first of the season on 66 minutes as the Reds produced an improved second-half showing to down the Baggies and give Roy Hodgson his inaugural league triumph in the hot-seat.

It was the Spain star's first goal since March and also secured the club's 2000th victory in league football, meaning we can sign off for the international period in positive mood.

Ahead of the clash, new signing Raul Meireles was introduced to the crowd following the completion of his move from Porto less than 24 hours earlier.

It was the perfect pre-match appetiser for an expectant home support, who eagerly greeted a team boasting five changes to the one that prevailed in Trabzon - including Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres - onto the pitch.

El Nino began the contest looking to secure his own personal goal landmark at Anfield and it was the returning Spain star who had the first attempt of note, coolly exchanging passes with the skipper before arrowing a shot goalwards that Scott Carson did well to clutch from underneath his own crossbar.

Milan Jovanovic then won possession deep inside Baggies territory, allowing Gerrard to feed Torres but the No.9 saw his effort blocked after cutting back onto his right foot.

At the other end, the visitors were looking bright and lone striker Marco Fortune may have done better when he finished off a clever run into the channel with a miscued drive that never looked like troubling Pepe Reina.

On 18 minutes the Reds nearly went in front via a spot of fortune, but Gabriel Tamas' flick header from a Gerrard free-kick dropped just wide of Carson's far post.

The game had settled into an end-to-end pattern and West Brom were next to threaten as Fortune tested Reina with a curving low shot after a clever one-two with Jonas Olsson on the edge of the box.

As the half progressed it was Roberto Di Matteo's side who were looking the more assured in possession but the hosts almost sneaked in front on 35 minutes when Lucas Leiva's miss-hit shot dropped into the path of Kuyt. The Dutch forward looked all set to fire home but somehow got tangled up with a Baggies defender and the chance was lost.

The final shot of the half went the way of James Morrison, who had Reina scampering to his left with a well struck volley from distance.

There was no doubt Liverpool needed to improve in the second 45, and given their knack for doing just that so far this term, they restarted proceedings hoping for better luck attacking the Kop end.

However, it was sluggish in the opening exchanges and Gerrard's speculative 40 yard lob was the best they could muster.

For the Baggies, Morrison again went close with a rasping attempt from distance while Graham Dorrans curled off target after showing neat feet on the edge of the box.

As the hour approached the Reds finally created some danger to cause alarm in the visitors' box. A right-wing corner was almost turned home by Kuyt inside the six yard box before Martin Skrtel sent a volley from 14 yards flashing past the upright.

It seemed to unnerve Di Matteo's side and Olsson was relieved to see his over-hit back pass roll wide of target. From the resulting corner there was another goalmouth melee but some fine last-ditch defending kept Liverpool at bay.

There was a sense of inevitability about an opening goal as the game continued to stretch and on 66 minutes the Reds finally broke through.

A superb move down the right ended with Kuyt racing into the area and clipping a clever cross to Torres on the edge of the area.

The Spain star adjusted his body superbly before crashing a stunning volley beyond the despairing dive of Carson and into the left-hand corner of the net.

The 'Torres bounce' had barely finished its first rendition when he came close to making it two. Great play between Kuyt and Gerrard resulted in the skipper crossing deep to the far post where El Nino was brilliantly denied by Carson.

West Brom responded to going behind by pushing forward, but it only left gaps at the back that the Reds should have exploited better.

A fine break saw Kuyt and Gerrard tee up Torres once more, but Gonzalo Jara was there to block the striker's goalbound effort with what appeared to be his arm.

With time running out the Baggies attempted to throw the kitchen sink at Reina's goal, but when Morrison received his marching orders for a nasty tackle on Torres, their hopes were all-but ended, leaving Liverpool to see it out for an important victory.