Respite for Liverpool
03/15/2010 09:58:13 PM
it was only a brief respite as Rodriguez fired wide and Johnson should have had a penalty when Belhadj brought down the England international.
Gerrard departed in the 74th minute, having just been involved in a clash with Brown in which the Reds captain appeared to thrust an arm across his opponent's face, as Yossi Benayoun came on.
Aquilani's dream night continued in the 77th minute when he threaded a pass to Torres in the penalty area and he cut back onto his right foot to blast a shot inside the near post.
The Spaniard, who has now scored 15 Premier League goals to beat his tally of last season, was immediately replaced by David Ngog.
Torres, who looks to be returning to his lethal best having been sidelined for five weeks after a knee operation, left to a standing ovation.
But the real plaudits - after a long wait - went to Aquilani and even a late goal from Belhadj, sidefooting in Frederic Piquionne's volley across goal, could not spoil his night.