Liverpool vs Middlesbrough 3-2 Goal Highlights 23-02-2008

Premier League

Goals: Torres 28', 29', 61' - Sanli 9', Downing 83'

A Fernando Torres hat trick helped Liverpool claim a 3-2 win over Middlesbrough at Anfield which lifted the Reds up to fourth in the Premier League table on Saturday.

Rafael Benitez’s side climbed ahead of city rival Everton, which faces Manchester City on Monday, into the fourth Champions League place on goal difference.

Torres, who struck three times against Reading in the League Cup earlier in the season, gave Gareth Southgate’s side a lesson in finishing to score his first Premier League hat-trick and take his goals tally to 21 in all competitions this season.

However, it was the visitors who had taken the lead through Tuncay Sanli in the ninth minute after he headed a Stewart Downing free-kick past goalkeeper Jose Reina from close range.

Torres equalized in the 28th minute after he latched on to a backward header from Julio Arca and rounded goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer before slotting home.

The Spanish international put Rafael Benitez’s side ahead in spectacular fashion a minute later with a superb 25-yard shot which flew into the bottom-left corner of the net.

Torres collected his third in the 61st minute after he capitalized on a defensive mix-up between Schwarzer and defender David Wheater to lift the ball into the net.

Stewart Downing pulled a goal back for the visitors in the 83rd minute with a superb run before Jeremie Aliadiere was sent off but Liverpool held on to claim the points

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Aurelio, Kuyt (Riise 73'), Lucas, Mascherano, Babel (Benayoun 62'), Gerrard, Torres (Crouch 90').

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Young, Wheater, Grounds, Pogatetz, O'Neil (Mido 59'), Rochemback, Arca, Downing, Aliadiere, Sanli (Alves 69').