Liverpool earned a 2-0 victory over fierce North West rivals Manchester United to lift the recent misery surrounding Anfield.
Benitez earns vital win, while Vidic and Mascherano see late red cards
Liverpool earned a 2-0 victory over fierce North West rivals Manchester United to lift the recent misery surrounding Anfield.
Pre-match build-up focused on doom and gloom as the Reds went into the contest in their worst form for 22 years, sparking speculation that Rafa Benitez could be facing the sack.
But Torres - who overcame injury to start, unlike Steven Gerrard - and substitute David Ngog scored in the second half to earn a first win in four games, erasing the pain of consecutive defeats to Fiorentina, Chelsea, Sunderland and Lyon.
The first half had been a tight affair, failing to meet the level of expectancy surrounding the fixture, and ended goalless as Edwin van der Sar saved a Fabio Aurelio free-kick, while Wayne Rooney could not generate power in a header.
Proceedings then continued in a similar fashion after the interval, however, Torres demonstrated his brilliance in the 65th minute as he had too much speed and strength for the out-of-form Rio Ferdinand before finishing from close range.
The goal brought the game to life in a thrilling conclusion and United were incensed as Jamie Carragher avoided a red card when pulling down Michael Owen, who was severely booed when entering the game from the bench on his return to Anfield.
United's frustrations increased shortly after as Nemanja Vidic was dismissed for a second booking when hauling down Dirk Kuyt to earn his third successive red card against Liverpool.
Javier Mascherano followed shortly after as the Argentine had a rush of blood to the head with a slide challenge on United goalkeeper Van der Sar, which warranted a second booking.
Ngog then made sure of the points in front of a jubilant Kop as the Frenchman kept his composure to apply the finishing touch to a swift counter-attack deep into stoppage time.
Punishing reception
As expected, Gerrard missed the match with a groin problem, but Rooney recovered from a calf injury to play for the champions.
Liverpool had Torres and Glen Johnson back after both missed the UEFA Champions League defeat to Lyon on Tuesday, while United also had Ryan Giggs, Patrice Evra and Michael Carrick back in their starting line-up.
Owen, facing his former club, started on the bench and on his introduction received a punishing reception from the fans who once worshipped him.
United's supporters made the most of Liverpool's recent misfortune. Beach balls, Eric Cantona masks and insulting banners were smuggled into the away section.
Watching on were Liverpool co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, sitting side-by-side in the directors' box, but not in the exposed front row.
The atmosphere was electric, the noise deafening, as Liverpool set about trying to restore their battered reputation, but the opening exchanges did not quite live up to all the hype.
Evra was booked after two trips on Torres in as many minutes, and from the free-kick Aurelio sent in a curled effort that Van der Sar clawed away. It went straight to Kuyt, whose follow-up was also saved by his Dutch compatriot.
Then Lucas Leiva robbed Paul Scholes and gave Kuyt another chance, this one guided wide of the far post.
Rooney, who had seen one effort disallowed for offside, rose to met an Antonio Valencia cross, but his header was held low to his right by Jose Reina.
United had better possession and hit Liverpool with pace and slick movement
