Liverpool VS Middlesbrough Review:

Liverpool have gone fourth in the Premier League after a superb hat-trick from Fernando Torres gave them a 3-2 victory over Middlesbrough at Anfield yesterday night. The Reds had trailed to a ninth minute goal for Tuncay Sanli, but Torres turned it around with two goals before half-time, and he completed his second Liverpool hat-trick with a third halfway through the second half. And although Downing made it 3-2, the Reds held on for 3 points. Torres has now scored 21 goals, a wonderful achievement in his first season in the EPL, and yesterday's hat-trick leaves him hot on the heels of Adebayor and Ronaldo in the race to be the Premier League's top scorer. Rafael Benitez made just one change from the side that beat Inter Milan on Tuesday, and that was forced upon him by the suspension of Jamie Carragher. Carragher's place was taken by Alvaro Arbeloa, who started for the first time since the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa in January. Middlesbrough came to Anfield with no shortage of confidence after an eight game unbeaten run and they rocked the Reds on nine minutes when Tuncay Sanli gave them the lead.It came after a handball from Babel gave the visitors a free kick deep inside Liverpool territory, and Tuncay found himself all alone to head home Downing's cross.Liverpool were trying an offside trap and Tuncay celebrated as the Liverpool defenders protested.Rafa's men needed a lift and they got one in the 28th minute. There looked nothing on as the ball bounced in front of the Boro back four, but Julio Arca headed the ball over his defensive line, where Fernando Torres was waiting, and he equalised after speeding clear and rounding Schwarzer.The Reds' fans hardly had time to sit back down from celebrating El Nino's first goal when he scored again to give Liverpool the lead, and it was some goal. Torres has already treated fans to some special moments in his first season in England and this was another goal to savour, the Spaniard beating Schwarzer with a superb shot from outside the box.Torres settled everyone's nerves when he completed his hat-trick and made the game safe in the 61st minute.After a long ball from a liverpool defender, Torres and Wheater were alone in the Middlesbrough half. Schwarzer tried to come out of his penalty box to kickthe bal away but Torres hit the ball diagonally to his bottom left, leaving Schwarzer and Wheater banging into each other and Torres chipped the ball into the open net.An 83rd minute goal from Downing again reduced the deficit one goal but it proved to be too little, too late.

Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Hyypia, Arbeloa, Finnan, Babel, Mascherano, Leiva, Gerrard (c), Torres, Kuyt. Subs - Riise, Crouch, Martin, Skrtel, Benayoun

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Young, Pogatetz, Wheater, Grounds, Downing, Arca (c), Rochemback, O'Neil, Aliadiere, Sanli. Subs - Boateng, Alves, Hines, Turnbull

Referee: L Mason

Attendance: 43,612

Man of the Match: Fernando Torres