Fernando Torres says that he dug deep and exceeded the pain threshold to play for Liverpool in their 2-0 win over Manchester United.

Torres made an appearance for the Reds though still bothered by his adductor problem and score Liverpool's first goal as Rafa Benitez's side romped to victory after David Ngog sealed the win with a second goal. The Spaniard later confirmed that he was not fully fit.

"I wasn't really at my best. We knew before the game I couldn't play to 100 per cent because I had some pain in some actions, but in games like this the pain doesn't matter," Torres told liverpoolfc.tv.

Torres blasted the ball past a strandered Edwin van der Sar after fending off the challenge of Rio Ferdinand, and later admitted: "I feel a bit of pain when I shoot across so I could only shoot towards the near post - it was the only thing I could do!"

Liverpool are now just four points behind Man United and six below Premier League leaders Chelsea.

And Torres claimed: "We are in the race again. We knew before the game that we had to win and we did it. Now we have a bit of confidence but we have to keep it going on Wednesday in the Carling Cup against Arsenal.

"Then we have to be focused for Fulham. But we feel like a strong team again because we're working all together like in the past."