Torres brace puts Reds ahead at the break

Liverpool 2 Chelsea 0

Fernando Torres rediscovered his touch to stun Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea with a first-half double this afternoon.

The Liverpool striker struck after 11 minutes at Anfield before curling a brilliant second moments before the break.

Chelsea offered little throughout the opening half but had star striker Didier Drogba on the bench.

After a cagey opening, Liverpool struck the first blow after 11 minutes through Fernando Torres.

The Spaniard may have struggled for form in the opening months of the season but he remains a fearsome opponent for Chelsea, his strike being his fifth against them in five games at Anfield.

Martin Skrtel began the move, finding Kuyt in space inside the Chelsea half. Kuyt then looked up and picked out Torres’ run into the box by lifting a superb ball over Terry’s head. With Terry beaten, Torres took one touch and rolled the ball past Petr Cech for his third goal of the season.

The goal lifted the World Cup winner and within a minute he flashed another drive just wide.

Chelsea looked for a quick response and Ashley Cole whipped in a dangerous cross but Kalou headed straight at Jose Reina.

Liverpool threatened again as Lucas broke from deep but Yury Zhirkov was booked for bringing the Brazilian down and the home side failed to make the most of the free-kick.

Liverpool appealed for a penalty without success after a Terry clearance struck Kelly and then bounced up at Zhirkov.

Raul Meireles pounced on the loose ball but his low shot was gathered by Cech at the second attempt.

Kelly tried his luck from distance after cutting inside from the right but Terry stuck out a leg to block his left-foot shot.

Chelsea were struggling to get a foothold in the game but Kalou was harshly penalised for a push on Skrtel as he adeptly controlled the ball on the edge of the box and shaped to shoot.

Steven Gerrard fired a free-kick into the Chelsea box after Torres was pushed by Terry but Ramires headed clear.

Liverpool continued to attack and Torres, confidence soaring, hit a superb second a minute before the break.

Meireles won possession in midfield and charged forward, feeding Torres on the left.

Torres cut inside and curled an unstoppable shot around Cech to double the lead.