Torres returns with decisive strike

Striker Fernando Torres marked his first start since January 13 by scoring the winner in an ill-tempered 2-1 victory over Blackburn at Anfield.

The Spain international hit his 13th goal in 17 Barclays Premier League appearances just before half-time, having missed five weeks at the start of the year after a knee operation.

Liverpool had gone ahead midway through the half through Steven Gerrard only for Jamie Carragher's handball to allow Keith Andrews to equalise from the penalty spot five minutes before the interval.

Liverpool opened the scoring in the 20th minute. Lucas picked out Gerrard who, after exchanging passes with Dirk Kuyt and offloading to Yossi Benayoun, continued his run into the penalty area to collect the return ball, go past Christopher Samba and clip home a left-footed shot.

That was after Samba, Martin Olsson and Morten Gamst Pedersen had all had half-chances to put Blackburn ahead.

Liverpool, though, were indebted to Jose Reina in the 17th minute as the goalkeeper made a good double save from Pedersen, particularly the first shot which deflected off Carragher.

On the half-hour Kuyt should have made it 2-0 from Gerrard's corner but headed wide from three yards.

Rovers then equalised five minutes before the break, Andrews converting from the spot after Carragher had handled in the area.

However, Liverpool went ahead again in the 44th minute when Samba could only poke the ball off Torres into the path of Maxi Rodriguez, who crossed into the six-yard area for the Spaniard to smash home.

Gerrard and Kuyt went close to extending Liverpool's lead in a second half disrupted by a number of niggly altercations. And they were nearly made to pay late on as Samba saw an effort superbly saved by the impressive Reina.