Last-gasp Torres fires Reds top

An injury-time Fernando Torres goal earned Liverpool a 3-2 victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Spaniard's late goal rescues a win for much-changed Liverpool

An injury-time Fernando Torres goal saw Liverpool return to the top of the Premier League with a 3-2 victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Liverpool, who have now played two games more than second-placed Manchester United, travelled to the South Coast well aware that three points would see them wrestle top spot back from the defending champions. But the Reds' under-fire manager Rafa Benitez raised a few eyebrows with his team selection - dropping star striker Torres to the bench and naming a defensive back three of Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger. The visitors, who were without injured captain Steven Gerrard, settled into the new strategy imposed by their boss and had the best chance of the first half as Fabio Aurelio went close with a free-kick. Pompey improved after the interval and were rewarded when David Nugent slotted the home side in front from former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch's 62nd minute pass. Liverpool, though, were back on level terms seven minutes later as Aurelio superbly smashed in a 20-yard indirect free-kick to ignite hopes of returning to Merseyside with three points. Benitez introduced Torres as the former Valencia boss pushed for a winner, but seconds later Pompey were back in front as Hermann Hreidarsson headed past Jose Reina with 12 minutes remaining from a Nadir Belhadj set-play. Tony Adams' side looked set to hang on for the win, but substitute Kuyt - who had replaced David N'Gog - took advantage of some poor Pompey defending to fire an equaliser past David James from a tight angle in the 85th minute. And then in time added on at the end of the 90 minutes, Torres headed past James to send Liverpool back to top spot.

Cameo

Torres was tired towards the end of the midweek FA Cup defeat to Everton and has international duty this week when Spain face England - but he was still fit enough to be among the substitutes at Fratton Park. His cameo has put the psychological pressure on United as Liverpool overtake Sir Alex Ferguson's men at the summit before their match at West Ham this weekend. The spotlight was inevitably on Benitez for his brave move. He offloaded Robbie Keane back to Tottenham, then saw talisman Steven Gerrard injured with a hamstring strain - so resting a match-winner like Torres for 75 minutes was a huge gamble. Keane would have been almost certain to have played against Pompey if he was still at the club, but instead French youngster Ngog endured a miserable first league start. Torres was not the only change, with Benitez radically altering his team and leaving the likes of Albert Riera, Xabi Alonso and Kuyt on the bench. But Pompey were still struggling for confidence as they looked to end a run of failing to win a league game since November - and even a second string Liverpool were bound to create chances. Pompey goalkeeper David James, equalling Gary Speed's Premier League record of 535 appearances, was left stranded when Liverpool put their first purposeful move together. Alvaro Arbeloa's cross from the right found Yossi Benayoun unmarked in the penalty area but his finish went into the side-netting after James had slipped.

Reward

James would have had no chance either when Aurelio's free-kick curled just wide of the upright. The Brazilian was off target again in the 17th minute when Ngog's cross found its way behind the