2.2.08  BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP
Liverpool vs Sunderland 3-0 (BBC)


Goals from Peter Crouch, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard secured Liverpool's first Premier League win since Boxing Day.

The hosts, who had the better of a woeful first half, took the lead when Crouch headed Jamie Carragher's cross past Craig Gordan in Sunderland's goal.

Torres added a second when he collected Crouch's flick and drilled home.

Sunderland had two penalty shouts turned down before Liverpool were awarded one, which Gerrard dispatched.

With his side trailing leaders Arsenal by 20 points before kick-off, Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez knew there could be no margin for error.

The Spaniard made five changes to the side which lost at West Ham in midweek but the alterations seemed to upset the team's balance early on.

Lucas Leiva, deployed on the left of midfield, looked particularly uncomfortable as Liverpool relied solely on Gerrard and Torres for any sort of attacking inspiration.

That played into the hands of Sunderland, who tended to at least double up on both players, and the visitors were seldom troubled at the back.

Roy Keane's men themselves showed little inclination to attack, however, allowing Liverpool to spend long periods encamped in their half.

It took 38 minutes for either side to muster an opportunity of any note, Jermaine Pennant beating Daryl Murphy and crossing for Torres to head straight at Craig Gordon.

That was the only attempt on target in a woeful first half.

Liverpool played with greater urgency after the break it is was not long before they were rewarded.

Carragher produced an excellent cross to the back post and Crouch rose above Phil Bardsley to head past Gordon.

The goal sparked Liverpool into life and Crouch was denied a second when his acrobatic volley was well saved before Bardsley cleared his header off the line from Gerrard's corner.

Sunderland were having difficulty coping with a rejuvinated Liverpool as they attacked the Kop and when Crouch put Torres through on goal with a neat header, the Spanish striker made no mistake.

On 73 minutes Carragher appeared to block Murphy's shot with an arm, only for referee Rob Styles to reject Sunderland's frantic appeals.

The Wearsiders had another shout turned down just moments later as Javier Mascherano's high foot connected with Liam Millar's shoulder, while Roy O'Donovan poked over from close range.

To rub salt in Sunderland's wounds, Styles pointed to the spot when Pennant went down under Nyron Nosworthy's challenge two minutes from the end and Gerrard forced the ball past Gordon, albeit via the goalkeeper's hand.

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Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Hyypia, Skrtel, Aurelio (Finnan 46), Pennant, Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas (Benayoun 61), Crouch (Kuyt 83), Torres.

Subs Not Used: Itandje, Babel.
Booked: Finnan.
Goals: Crouch 57, Torres 69, Gerrard 89 pen.

Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Nosworthy, Evans, Collins, Chopra (Waghorn 83), Whitehead, Miller, Richardson (Prica 7), Murphy, Jones, Prica (O'Donovan 55).

Subs Not Used: Fulop, McShane.
Booked: Miller, Gordon.

Att: 43,244
Ref: Rob Styles (Hampshire).