Scorers:

Liverpool: Fernando Torres 19, 78, Steven Gerrard 84 pen, Peter Crouch 87

Porto: Lisandro Lopez 33

Halftime: 1-1; 41,095

Spain striker Fernando Torres scored twice as Liverpool beat Porto 4-1 to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday.

Torres opened the scoring in the 19th minute at Anfield, but his side were pegged back when Porto's Lisandro Lopez sent a header past keeper Pepe Reina in the 33rd minute.

Liverpool had to be patient before scoring three goals in the last 12 minutes, with Torres getting his second of the night, captain Steven Gerrard converting a penalty and substitute Peter Crouch nodding home with three minutes left.

Rafael Benitez's team had previously looked on the verge of going out of the competition after picking up just one point from their opening three games in Group A.

But back-to-back wins over Besiktas and Porto mean that Liverpool now need to beat Olympique Marseille away in their final match to reach the last 16.

Third in the group, Benitez's side are level on seven points with second-placed Marseille, who lost 2-1 at Besiktas, and a point behind Porto.

Wednesday's win also eased some of the pressure on Benitez, who has recently been at odds with the club's American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

Torres handed the home side a perfect start by heading in Gerrard's corner as Porto defender Bruno Alves was caught ball watching.

Porto produced a surprise equaliser though when Przemyslaw Kazmierczak's 33rd minute cross cleared defender Alvaro Arbeloa and Lopez headed past Reina from close range.

The Portuguese league leaders wasted two chances to take a lead as Liverpool appeared to be rattled as halftime approached.

Gerrard's blind backpass allowed Ricardo Quaresma to race through on goal and his delay allowed defender Steve Finnan to get back and tackle.

Lucho Gonzalez then lifted the ball over the Liverpool defence, only for Lopez to hook his effort wide with just Reina to beat.

KEWELL DIFFERENCE

Liverpool sent on Crouch with 20 minutes left but it was fellow substitute Harry Kewell who made the difference.

The Australian midfielder carried the ball from the halfway line in the 78th minute and found Torres in the area, with the Spaniard then spinning away from his marker to angle a shot into the corner of the net.

Milan Stepanov handled a Gerrard free kick under a challenge by Sami Hyypia in 84th minute and the Liverpool captain converted the spot kick.

To the delight of the home crowd, there was still enough time for Crouch to nod in a Gerrard corner with keeper Helton at fault.

Teams

Liverpool: 25-Pepe Reina; 2-Steve Finnan, 4-Sami Hyypia, 23-Jamie Carragher, 17-Alvaro Arbeloa; 11-Yossi Benayoun (15-Peter Crouch 71), 8-Steven Gerrard, 20-Javier Mascherano, 19-Ryan Babel (18-Dirk Kuyt 85); 10-Andriy Voronin (7-Harry Kewell 63), 9-Fernando Torres.

Porto: 1-Helton; 12-Jose Bosingwa, 4-Milan Stepanov, 2-Bruno Alves, 5-Mareck Cech; 6-Paulo Assuncao (23-Helder Postiga 81), 11-Mariano Gonzalez (17-Tarik Sektioui 77), 8-Lucho Gonzalez, 25-Przemyslaw Kazmierczak (16-Raul Meireles 65); 7-Ricardo Quaresma; 9-Lisandro Lopez.

Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy)