Fernando Torres marked his first English Football Premier League start of the year by hitting the winning goal as Liverpool triumphed 2-1 in a bruising encounter with Blackburn Rovers at Anfield.
Torres has endured an injury-interrupted season but the Spain striker made a telling contribution as Rafa Benitez's side maintained their push to qualify for next season's Champions League.
Keith Andrews scored a shock equaliser for Rovers from the penalty spot to cancel out Steven Gerrard's 10th goal of the season.
However, Torres struck in the 44th minute - his 13th goal of the season - to leave Liverpool sixth in the table, one point behind fourth-placed Tottenham who beat in-form Everton 2-1 at White Hart Lane.