Fernando Torres announced his Liverpool return in characteristic fashion this afternoon as his 13th goal in only 17 league appearances spared Rafael Benítez’s team from a damaging draw against Blackburn Rovers. Under pressure to respond to Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur victories in the race for fourth place, Liverpool were indebted to the Spain striker – and a 90th-minute save by José Reina from Christopher Samba – in a feisty contest at Anfield.

The roles had been reversed during the first half as Blackburn surprised with an adventurous opening and pegged Liverpool inside their own half only to be caught out on the counterattack by the home side. Morten Gamst Pedersen was prominent playing off the Rovers’ target man, Nikola Kalinic, and both he plus Samba tested Reina before the Croatian spurned a fine chance when released inside the Liverpool area by the Norwegian.

Just as the visitors appeared to have gained control, however, a break that announced Steven Gerrard’s improving form in emphatic fashion gave Liverpool the lead with their first attack. Gerrard made an exquisite exchange with Lucas Leiva to open central midfield, played a second one-two with Yossi Benayoun and benefited from a fortunate miscontrol inside the area to clip a nonchalant finish over the advancing Paul Robinson.

Blackburn almost levelled immediately as Pedersen collected Samba’s cross but was twice denied by Reina. Twenty minutes later they did equalise when Liverpool imploded inside their own box. First Benayoun sliced a poor clearance straight to Pedersen and then Jamie Carragher, having fallen to the floor attempting to deal with the returning pressure from the Norwegian and Kalinic, needlessly pushed the ball clear with his hand to concede an undisputed penalty. Keith Andrews drove the spot-kick hard and low under the Liverpool goalkeeper.

The outbreak of defensive folly proved contagious, and just five minutes later Liverpool were back in front when Blackburn switched off in the mistaken belief that the threat from Torres was over. It never is.

The Spaniard was foiled by Samba’s tackle inside the area after collecting an outstanding pass from Lucas yet, for reasons only known to himself, Robinson pursued a loose ball that was always destined for Maxi Rodriguez. The Argentinian simply squared the ball past the stranded Rovers goalkeeper and Torres, on his first start since 13 January, converted from close range.

Premier LeagueLiverpoolBlackburn RoversAndy Hunterguardian.co.uk