After three disappointing performances in what we class our bread and butter, and caviar respectively, Liverpool excelled in what you can call the side plate. There were no frills and some ingredients which you do not expect in the main course were rightly given a chance, others you expect in the very main plate week in week out were surprisingly chosen for this side plate. They did not disappoint and stood out. Maybe the chef has been too stubborn in omitting such an important ingredient a couple of days before for the main course. But some geniuses are hard to fathom and understand. Maybe we have to read between the lines more. Football is a simple game but sometimes it is poetry and in the latter there is only a fine line between absurd and genial.

Yossi Benayoun opened his goal scoring account at Liverpool in a flamboyant matter, albeit on a side show rather than a main stage. He picked up a loose ball, took a Royal defender one on one, threaded the ball through his legs, and free from his defender and inside their penalty area he unleashed a powerful shot that only the net could stop.

The advantage was short-lived as for the first time this season Liverpool conceded from open play. The goal minded by Itandje for the first time and Arbeloa partnering the nailed on fixture at the centre back Carragher, succumbed to a volley by Convey after a poor clearance from a corner.

And then the second half started. And the second forty-five minutes belong to one Fernando Torres. With the second half just five minutes old, El Nino accepted a delightful through pass by the Argentinian Leto, and coolly placed the ball past their keeper Federici and into the right hand corner of the net.

Later Riise came in for Aurelio. A couple of seconds later, Riise found himself marauding the left flank, and pretty easily he nut-megged his opponent. Finding himself in one of the corners of the penalty area, he got presented the opportunity to pass to the Spaniard to make something happen. Riise took the easy option and Torres just side footed the ball into the right hand corner of the net.

Then Gerrard received the ball in the middle of the pitch. Like Riise he took the easy option as he passed to Torres again. Timing his run to perfection, beating the offside trap on the way, he just maneuvered himself in the open space and when one on one with the keeper there was only going to be one winner as he went round him and placed the ball into the net.

In the meantime after Torres first goal, Reading drew level for the second time. Again from a corner, the unfamiliar defence hesitated and lacked its usual assertiveness. Halls profited from that and poked the ball into the net.

The night all belonged to Torres. He glided through defenders, made things happen, shot fear in their defenders legs, created space for himself and scored a hat-trick. It is only a side show, but one show which deserves the main plaudits. You can never second guess the likes of Rafa, but I wager my sanity on a starting line-up for Nando next Saturday against Wigan.

It is only one cheeky bet you might argue, but I also risk a tenner on a match-winner by Torres.