Torres keeps Liverpool in the race

Fernando Torres scored twice as Liverpool produced one of their best performances of the season to beat Sunderland 3-0 yesterday and stay well in the hunt for fourth place in the Premier League.

After Tottenham beat Portsmouth 2-0 on Saturday it was essential for Liverpool to keep in touch and they did it in style. Last October Liverpool controversially lost 1-0 at Sunderland's Stadium of Light after Darren Bent's shot went in via a beach ball that had been thrown on to the pitch by a Liverpool fan.

The offending ball now resides in the museum of football in Preston and that defeat seemed like ancient history as Liverpool produced a vintage first-half display.

They set the tone with Torres's wonderfully-taken opener after three minutes. The Spanish striker cut inside from the touchline, skipped between two defenders and curled a perfect top-corner finish beyond Craig Gordon.

The second came after 32 minutes when full-back Glen Johnson's long-range effort took a deflection.

Gordon had no chance with that but made several good saves as Liverpool poured on the power. Torres hit the post and shot wide in one mad scramble and defender Daniel Agger could have had a hat-trick.

Sunderland were better in the second half without looking like getting back into the game and Liverpool wrapped up the points on the hour with a calm finish by Torres after a good ball by Johnson.