Liverpool manager Rafa Benitezs gamble to play an 80 per cent fit Fernando Torres paid off when the Spaniard got the first goal in a 2-0 win over Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday. Torres was still troubled by a groin injury that needed a pain-killing injection and Benitez,seeking to silence the home fans boos after four consecutive defeats in all competitions,only decided to risk him a few hours before kick-off. It proved an inspired move as the Spain striker held off Rio Ferdinand to put Liverpool ahead in the 65th minute before David Ngog added a second in stoppage time. It was a difficult decision on Torres because he has not been training, Benitez told reporters. You could see at times that he was not fresh but sometimes an 80 percent Fernando can make all the difference. Answering questions Benitez,under increasing pressure after league defeats by Chelsea and Sunderland and Champions League losses to Fiorentina and Olympique Lyon,said his players had answered their critics. The passion,attitude and character of my players was the difference, he said. Everybody worked together from the beginning and the players answered a lot of questions today. We showed this team is better than people think. It was just a question of getting a little bit of luck,then the character would shine through. We needed to win for the confidence. I think it will be a big boost for the team and the fans. Hopefully,we can use this to kick-start our season. Torres also stressed the importance of the victory. Its a massive win for us, he said. We showed that when we play as a team and work hard,we can trouble anybody. Now we have to keep working together as a unit. United manager Alex Ferguson was upset Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was not sent off for bringing down Michael Owen as the substitute threatened to break clear late in the game. The controversial one that people will be talking about was when he (Carragher) brought down Michael Owen. It would have been difficult for them if he had gone off, he said. Carragher disagreed,saying: I thought he brought me down. I dont think I should have been sent off. Liverpool will have new investors within six months and manager Rafa Benitezs job is secure,managing director Christian Purslow said on Sunday as the gloom engulfing the club was lifted by the 2-0 victory over Manchester United. A run of four straight losses had intensified the pressure on the club's American owners to spend money to strengthen the squad. Before the match,around 1,000 fans chanted Yanks out as they protested outside Anfield against co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr,who were on a rare joint visit. Hicks,who celebrated wildly Sunday's first goal by Fernando Torres,and Gillett went public last month with their search for new equity after a Saudi Arabian prince said he wanted to buy a stake in the 18-time English champions. And Purslow assured fans an injection of cash will be arriving soon. Purslow also said neither of the teams pivotal players,Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard,were for sale at any price. Boro appoint Strachan Middlesbrough have appointed Gordon Strachan as manager to spearhead the teams attempt to return to the Premier League. The League Championship club had been linked with the former Celtic and Southampton manager since firing Gareth Southgate last week. First-team coach Colin Cooper was in temporary charge of the 2-2 draw on Saturday that left the club fourth in the second-tier standings.
