Fernando Torres scored a last-gasp brace as Liverpool beat 10-man Chelsea 2-0 to keep up the pressure at the top.

Spaniard scores last-gasp brace after Lampard was controversially sent off

Fernando Torres scored a last-gasp brace as Liverpool beat 10-man Chelsea 2-0 at Anfield to keep up the pressure on Manchester United at the top. After a goalless first period, Frank Lampard was controversially sent off in the 60th minute after going in for a challenge against Xabi Alonso, but the replay showed he got the ball. Alonso then had an effort deflected by Alex onto the crossbar before Torres scored an 89th minute header from a Fabio Aurelio cross. He then scored with a tap-in deep into injury-time after latching onto a loose ball from an Ashley Cole error to help the Reds close the gap on leaders United to two points, having played a game more. Liverpool made three changes from the side which drew at Wigan in midweek, with Albert Riera, Dirk Kuyt and Alonso returning in place of Yossi Benayoun, Ryan Babel and Lucas. Striker Robbie Keane was omitted from the 18-man squad, with teenage striker David Ngog on the bench. Keane did not attend Anfield the last time he was left out of a squad, but was all smiles going into the home dressing room this time, and sat in the directors' box later. But suggestions that he is on his way out of the club cannot be discounted and there was plenty of interest in the other goings-on in the stands before the game, with co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks sitting well apart in the front row of the directors' box. The pair will be re-opening talks with Rafa Benitez over his new contract and attend a board meeting together on Monday.

Game started

On the pitch, the game started in swirling snow, with Steven Gerrard surging around midfield as Liverpool took the game to Chelsea, who fielded the same side which beat Middlesbrough 2-0 in midweek, with Salomon Kalou passed fit. Alonso forced the first save from Petr Cech after 11 minutes, seeing a 20-yarder tipped over, while Javier Mascherano then fired in a low 30-yarder that Cech parried away, with no Liverpool man nearby to take advantage. The midfield battle started to get tasty with tackles flying in. Mascherano was booked for flattening John Obi Mikel and soon after Cole was cautioned for a foul on Dirk Kuyt. Torres and Riera both tested Chelsea with their direct running, but it was a very tight contest. Michael Ballack and Lampard were quick to support Nicolas Anelka, putting Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel under severe pressure. After 41 minutes Riera fired in a fierce drive that was again pushed out by Cech, with Cole slicing the ball narrowly wide of the post as he cleared. The second period was just a minute old when Alonso was cautioned for a foul on Kalou and Mikel was soon to be in referee Mike Riley's book for a foul on Alvaro Arbeloa. Liverpool were attacking the Kop end now, and Gerrard, despite the bitter cold, was warming to his task. One run produced a corner, with Kuyt hooking wide while off balance. Then Torres saw a shot blocked by Terry.

Straight red

Then on the hour Lampard was shown a straight red card for a tackle on Alonso. He connected with the ball, and John Terry was booked for protesting, while Chelsea will point out that Gerrard was only warned for a similar tackle a few minutes earlier. Alex then deflected an Alonso drive onto the bar as Liverpool sought to claim the advantage. On 69 minutes, Chelsea sent on Deco and Didier Drogba for Florent Malouda