Torres bags brace at Wolves

Fernando Torres scored either side of a Raul Meireles strike to beat Wolves 3-0 and give Kenny Dalglish his first victory since returning for a second spell as Liverpool manager.

The Spain international side-footed home a straightforward effort in the first half, Meireles' brilliant dipping volley came shortly after half-time to cap an impressive individual performance before Torres finished with a flourish in injury time.

It was only Liverpool's third away win in the league in 13 months and their first point outside Anfield since the 1-1 draw at Wigan on November 10.

The Reds took the lead nine minutes before half-time when Christian Poulsen picked out Meireles with a perfectly-executed pass through the inside-right channel.

The Portugal midfielder, played onside by full-back Ronald Zubar on the other side of the pitch, seized on the opportunity and raced into the penalty area before cutting the ball back to Torres who side-footed home one of his most straightforward chances of the season.

Dirk Kuyt should have doubled the advantage early in the second half when put through one-on-one by Maxi Rodriguez but he delayed his shot and Wayne Hennessey charged out to block.

The Wolves goalkeeper was powerless, however, to do anything about the second when it came in the 50th minute.

Daniel Agger's long punt forward was only partially headed clear by Christophe Berra, under pressure from Kuyt, and Meireles lashed a brilliant dipping 25-yard volley inside Hennessey's left-hand post.

Wolves responded with a brief spell of pressure but although Liverpool have the league's worst record for squandering points from winning positions they held out.

Torres continued to pose a threat on the counter-attack and - in added time - fired into the roof of the net after Kuyt's strong run into the area.