Reds In Relegation Zone After Blackpool Loss

Fernando Torres limped off as Blackpool produced a shock 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. Torres was withdrawn after just 10 minutes, due to groin injury, before a Charlie Adam penalty and a strike from Luke Varney saw Blackpool take a two-goal advantage into the break. Sotirios Kyrgiakos gave the hosts hope in the second period, but The Seasiders held on to achieve a famous victory. Liverpool had an early half- chance, with Joe Cole failing to convert Torres' hit across goal, before the Spaniard left the fray through injury. Blackpool enjoyed more of the ball in the opening half-hour, with DJ Campbell going close and Varney being denied by a Martin Skrtel tackle. The visitors went ahead with 29 minutes gone, as Glen Johnson's foul on Varney allowed Adam to score from the spot, despite Pepe Reina getting a hand to the penalty kick. Liverpool responded positively, with Kyrgiakos heading into the ground and over the bar, Torres' replacement, David Ngog, forcing a save from Matt Gilks, and Johnson firing too high. The visiting keeper also collected efforts from Dirk Kuyt and Joe Cole, before the Anfield faithful were stunned again. Blackpool made it 2-0 soon before the break, as Varney ran in to strike past Reina following Gary Taylor-Fletcher's flick. Ngog missed a fine chance when he headed Dirk Kuyt's cross wide at the beginning of the second period. However, the Reds got their goal on 53 minutes, as Kyrgiakos headed powerfully home from Gerrard's free-kick, with caught Blackpool sleeping. Cole looked set to level after being fed in by Jamie Carragher, but his lifted effort went wide as well as over Gilks. The hosts piled on the pressure in the latter stages, but Blackpool defended desperately and resolutely. Deep into injury time, Gilks produced a stunning save to turn away Kyrgiakos' strike from seven yards, confirming Blackpool's victory and Liverpool's continuing stay in the relegation zone.