Sunderland started the brighter and had a couple of early chances. Firstly El-Hadj Diouf seized on Sami Hyypia's poor back header before Jamie Carragher got across to clear. Diouf then crossed for Daryl Murphy but his tame header was straight at Pepe Reina. Diouf then shot narrowly over the bar.
It was half an hour before Liverpool had their first shot and that was a Steven Gerrard effort that went wide. However, the Reds were beginning to settle and create more; Robbie Keane almost opening the scoring with a fine turn and shot five minutes before the break.
Xabi Alonso came on for the injured Damien Plessis at half time and Liverpool were all the better for it. The Spaniard began to spray passes around the field as the Reds created more openings.
Gerrard played a one-two with Yossi Benayoun before shooting narrowly wide and then the Israeli brought a save out of Craig Gordon in the Sunderland goal.
Diouf then missed Sunderland's best chance of the afternoon when he scuffed a shot after being found in space in the penalty area.
Dirk Kuyt then tried his luck from distance and when his shot was spilled by Gordon, Torres was first to the rebound. Unfortunately his shot was blocked by Robbie Keane.
Xabi Alonso almost opened the scoring from his own half when he noticed Gordon off his line but his 60 yard shot went narrowly wide with the Sunderland keeper scrambling.
The goal when it came was worth the wait. Alonso played in Torres who turned on the ball before unleashing a 25 yard shot into the bottom corner of the net for the winner.