Champions League: Liverpool Take It Down to the Wire

With a 4-1 victory over FC Porto at Anfield last night, Liverpool have kept alive their hopes of progressing to the second phase of the European Champions League.

A win in their final group match against Marseille is next on the club's must-do list.

Liverpool have dragged themselves back into contention with two straight vital wins—after their first three games saw a return of just one point.

The club's record-setting 8-0 demolition of Besiktas gave them momentum heading into a matchup with an extremely talented FC Porto side.

After taking the lead on a Fernando Torres header at 19 minutes, Liverpool seemed to settle into a comfortable rhythm. But Porto's Lisandro Lopez netted a header of his own at the Kop End, much to the dismay of the Anfield crowd.

Porto continued to pose a real threat on the counterattack—and but for some poor finishing could have easily taken the lead on a clean try from Lopez.

Liverpool dominated possession in the second half but couldn't solve a stubborn Porto defense. Rafael Benitez finally injected some life into the proceedings by subbing Harry Kewell for the ineffective Andriy Voronin—and it was Kewell who managed to create an opening for Torres after 78 minutes.

With two touches, Torres dispatched a curling effort past the advancing keeper and around a defender on the line to send the home crowd into raptures.

Liverpool added goals from Steven Gerrard (on a penalty) and Peter Crouch in the last 10 minutes to give the scoreline an unlikely sparkle.

They didn't play their best game, but the Reds at least showed they can grind down teams and finish games strong. Torres, moreover, proved himself to be a player who can produce a bit of magic when it's needed most.

As it stands, all four teams in Group A will still be eligible to advance when Marseille host Liverpool and Porto entertain Besiktas.

There's no doubt that more nerves will be fried on a night which promises plenty of high drama.