Liverpool 3-2 Middlesbrough: Have your say

Back where we belong.

A fine Fernando Torres hat-trick helped Liverpool to a 3-2 win over Middlesbrough at Anfield on Saturday, a victory which moves Rafael Benitez's side back into the top four.

It is only Liverpool's second league win of 2008, but following Tuesday's stunning 2-0 scoreline against Inter Milan we finally seem to be turning the corner. Everton could retake fourth spot on Sunday but face a tough trip to Sven-Goran Eriksson's Manchester City.

All the doubts surrounding Liverpool's form in recent weeks briefly resurfaced nine minutes in when some shoddy marking allowed Sanli Tuncay acres of space to head past Pepe Reina.

But when Torres is in the mood it seems there's no stopping him. Goal number 19 of his maiden campaign in English football came on 28 minutes. Capitalising on a mistake from Julio Arca, the Spaniard rounded keeper Mark Schwarzer to level the scores.

Less than two minutes later he had goal number 20. Receiving the ball on the edge of the box, Torres let fly with a thunderbolt, giving Schwarzer no chance.

Benitez recently commented that squandering one-goal leads has become something of an unwelcome habit this season. The Liverpool boss would therefore have been delighted to see his compatriot make the most of another 'Boro defensive blunder to edge the Reds further ahead on the hour mark.

Neither Schwarzer nor David Wheater dealt with a bouncing ball on the edge of the box and Torres nipped in to side foot goal number 21.

It proved to be a valuable moment of opportunism as, with seven minutes remaining, Stewart Downing slotted through Reina's legs to bring Gareth Southgate's side within a goal. Any 'Boro hopes of a shock comeback were quickly extinguished though as Jeremie Aliadiere's slap on Javier Mascherano saw the visitors reduced to ten men.

What did you make of today's performance? How important was it to follow up Tuesday's win with three league points? And are you confident we can hold on to fourth spot on the evidence of this showing?

As ever, use the comment button below to let us know your thoughts.

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Aurelio, Kuyt (Riise 73), Lucas, Mascherano, Babel (Benayoun 62), Gerrard, Torres (Crouch 90)

[Image: Getty]

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Posted by on February 23, 2008 11:34 PM in Debate| Fans| News| Players
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