Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1:Fernando Torres was once again the hero for Liverpool after his 83rd minute strike wrapped up the points against Sunderland.  The striker, scorer of the winning goal for Spain in this year's European Championships final, was anonymous for much of the evening as his partnership with €24m new boy Robbie Keane continued to stutter, but he produced a vicious drive eight minutes from time to claim the points.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for a Sunderland side who had enjoyed the best of the play and all but negated the return of the Reds' fit-again skipper Steven Gerrard.

Liverpool were largely frustrated by Sunderland, who caused plenty of problems for the visitors with former Liverpool man El-Hadji Diouf particularly impressive on his competitive debut.

A close-range Torres effort that was blocked by Keane looked like summing up a disappointing day before the Euro 2008 winner netted with a clinical low shot.

Xabi Alonso then went close from his own half before a neat pass forund Torres in space. The scorer of 33 goals last season needed no invitation to shoot and rifled his shot past Craig Gordon and into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

Relief for Liverpool fans, then, for the second time today after Rafael Benitez rubbished rumours he almost quit the club last week.

Reports today alleged the Spaniard decided to resign after being told by co-owners Tom Hicks ad George Gillett that they would not provide the money required to sign Gareth Barry from Aston Villa.

The 28-year-old midfielder was thought to be close to a €22million move to Anfield only for the club's American owners to pull the plug on the deal.

Chief executive Rick Parry released a statement which stated the club considered the asking price for Barry being "too high" and the issue has overshadowed preparations for their opening Barclays Premier League clash against Sunderland.

But despite the Barry situation, and his frosty relationship with Parry, the Spaniard reiterated his commitment to remain with the Reds.

"I am not thinking of leaving," he told the club's official website. "My commitment with the club, the fans and the players is so big that just because I can be disappointed about different things I won't stop trying my best to achieve all of the targets that we have established as a team.

"My family and myself are very thankful to the club, the fans and the city and we will never give up fighting to get the best for Liverpool."