OLD habits die hard.

Liverpool's knack of making things difficult for themselves revisited them last night when they conceded a fifth-minute goal to Reading.

It so nearly brought Liverpool's good run of results to a screeching halt.

But in the end, the Spaniard with the golden locks stole the show with another heroic performance to rescue the Reds on a night when it could have gone so wrong.

Fernando Torres arrived in Liverpool with a huge tag during the pre season, costing a reported ?27 million ($76m).

But he has more than repaid the faith.

Torres himself has made it a habit to find the net just when Liverpool needed it most.

His winning goal - and how many times have we said it this season - helped the striker to a milestone.

The 48th-minute strike brought his Premiership goal tally for this campaign to 20, becoming only the second Liverpool player to hit that magical mark.

The first player to achieve that was Robbie Fowler (25 in 1994/95 and 28 in 1995/96).

But the entire team display, and not just Torres' show, must have warmed the cockles of Rafael Benitez's heart.

The fact that the Reds were able to rally back from a deficit is evidence of their tenacity. And that is a quality most required at this late stage of the season.

Marek Matejovsky's fifth-minute screamer that almost pierced the net failed to derail his plans.

Fourteen minutes later, Javier Mascherano had Anfield on its feet. Not many would have suspected the Argentinian holding midfielder to execute what he did, given his reputation as one of the best tacklers in world football.

Receiving the ball about 10 metres from Reading's penalty box, he weaved his way past two defenders before unleashing a belter that gave goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann no chance.

With the equaliser, Liverpool began to get into their stride and started the slow process of prying open the Reading defence.

It seemed only a matter of time before Reading would crumble.

Almost immediately after the break, Torres got into the act.

FREE-KICK

It was Torres himself who carved out the opening by earning a free-kick near the touchline on the left.

Steven Gerrard's resulting delivery into the penalty area was immaculate, as Torres escaped his marker to send a downward header into the back of the net.

That the goals came from Mascherano and Torres was apt.

The duo, who arrived at the club only this season, have arguably been Liverpool's most consistent performers this term.

Liverpool, however, have a tough fixture list coming up as they try to maintain their fourth position in the Premiership table.

With Everton breathing down their neck in the battle for the final Champions League qualifying spot, they cannot afford to rest on their laurels.

The Reds have to play Manchester United, Everton, Arsenal and Blackburn in their next four matches.

If they don't start becoming more ruthless, then there may be a heavy price to pay at the finishing line.

Unless, of course, Torres continues his goal-scoring form.

LIVERPOOL: Reina, Carragher, Aurelio, Arbeloa, Skrtel, Gerrard(Hyypia 94), Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt (Benayoun 81), Torres, Babel (Riise 82)

READING:Hahnemann, Shorey, Ingimarsson, Rosenior, Bikey, Harper, Hunt, Oster (Kebe 72), Matejovsky (Cisse 75), Doyle, Long (Kitson 63)