Torres rescues a point for Reds

Liverpool's Fernando Torres paid off another portion of his huge transfer fee with a dazzling equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough.

The 23-year-old came to the rescue with a stunning 71st-minute strike as the Reds belatedly found top gear.

Until that point, Boro had looked the more likely victors after skipper George Boateng had put the Teessiders ahead with his first goal of the season after 26 minutes.

Liverpool never really got going and apart from Steven Gerrard's well-struck 17th-minute shot and Yossi Benayoun's 37th-minute volley, both of which were well-saved by Mark Schwarzer, they rarely threatened.

Middlesbrough made the breakthrough with 26 minutes gone when Gary O'Neil headed Downing's cross back across goal and Tuncay nodded it down for Boateng to slide the ball home.

After the break striker Andriy Voronin simply could not believe referee Andre Marriner's decision not to away him a penalty after he appeared to be barged to the ground by Robert Huth.

But Boro were almost handed a second goal on a plate when keeper Jose Reina inexplicably raced out without a hope of beating Jeremie Aliadiere to Stewart Downing's pass, and could only look on gratefully as the Frenchman's cross failed to locate a red shirt.

After 59 minutes Ryan Babel cut in-field before unleashing a shot which flew inches past the far post.

Downing's shot thundered into the woodwork with Reina beaten, and O'Neil lifted the rebound over the bar.However, with 71 minutes gone Torres picked up the ball in midfield and despite stumbling initially, hammered a venomous shot past Schwarzer to level.

The Australian had to tip a late Gerrard effort over the crossbar and block a Sami Hyypia header with his legs as the visitors pressed for the win, but Gareth Southgate's men just about held firm.