The Spanish hot-shot opened the scoring with a sensational third minute curler before taking his tally for the campaign to 20 on the hour, after Glen Johnson's deflected drive had doubled the home side's advantage.

It makes it seven goals in four matches for El Nino and means Rafael Benitez's men have moved back into fifth place in the Barclays Premier League standings, four points behind Tottenham having played a game more.

Ahead of what proved to be a hugely one-sided clash with Steve Bruce's charges, the mandate had been simple; notch up the first 'cup final' triumph out of the seven remaining.

Talk of beach balls and a miserable October day at the Stadium of Light was left to the visiting fans, as Liverpool focused their attention on giving a response to Spurs' routine win over Portsmouth 24 hours earlier.

Indeed, the Reds team sheet showed a clear intent to attack at will, with Ryan Babel returning to the starting XI in place of Lucas Leiva.

A fast start was high on the agenda and the men in red duly obliged by flying out of the traps.

A right-wing free-kick inside 60 seconds was flicked on to Daniel Agger at the far post. The Dane unleashed a fizzing volley that was well parried by Craig Gordon and after both Maxi Rodriguez and Torres went close, the visitors were relieved to have an opportunity to hack the ball to safety.

However, their respite was short-lived as the Reds steamed forward again and took the lead just two minutes later courtesy of some Torres genius.

The no. 9 picked the ball up on the far left hand side and began to run at Sunderland defender Michael Turner. The Spaniard dropped his shoulder and cut inside before bending a sensational 25 yard effort that arced over Gordon and into the top right-hand corner.

It set the tone for some incisive passages of attacking football from the hosts, in which Benitez's men continued to stretch the Wearsiders' rearguard.

First a rampaging run from Johnson took the England full-back to the byline, where he whipped over a hanging cross that Babel almost nodded into the path of Dirk Kuyt.

Next it was Javier Mascherano who had the spectators in the Kop on their feet, smashing a goalbound volley that was brilliantly blocked by a Sunderland body.

Having recently declared his intent to remain at Anfield for many years to come, Mascherano looked eager to follow up the news of his impending contract extension with a rare strike.

The Argentine midfielder is not renowned for his goalscoring ability, but went close again on 13 minutes when he sent a long range shot whistling past Gordon's right-hand post.

 The away side seemed to have no answer to some irresistible approach play and three minutes later they should have been further behind.

A magnificent move saw Kuyt flick the ball into Maxi Rodriguez, who raced into the box before playing a cute pass into Steven Gerrard. The skipper hit the byline and sent over a low cross that Torres met on the run.

However, goal number 20 for the season would have to wait a little while longer, as the Spain international saw his shot fly wide of the near post.

Seconds later Maxi was at it again, providing the perfect return pass to the marauding Gerrard, who dragged his effort just off target.

A second goal looked inevitable, but the Reds were once again left scratching their heads on 18 minutes, as Agger failed to find the net after a left-wing corner was cleared into his path just 10 yards from goal.

Rarely has such a first-half onslaught been on show at Anfield this season, but as the minutes ticked by it was Liverpool who continued to ask all the questions.

A 25th minute right-wing corner from Gerrard was met by Maxi, who saw his flicked header brilliantly turned over the top by Gordon, denying what would have been his first goal in red.

The Black Cats continually failed to cope with Liverpool's set piece delivery and on the half hour mark there was another chance to rue, as Agger glanced Gerrard's centre just wide.

With so many opportunities going begging, the players could have been forgiven for thinking it would turn into one of those days, but just two minutes later the Reds finally got the second their dominance deserved.

A left-wing corner was cleared to Johnson 30 yards from goal. The former Portsmouth man cut inside his man and fired in a rasping left foot drive that cannoned off the knee of Turner and nestled in the far corner of Gordon's net.

It was the full-backs' first strike since the 3-2 win at Bolton way back in August and his third of what has proved to be an injury-disrupted debut campaign for the club.

Now very-much in the comfort zone, the home side continued to produce some of their best football of the season and Sunderland must have been thanking their lucky stars that they weren't on the end of a complete first-half humbling.

Only the post denied the Reds a third on 38 minutes, with Torres left frustrated after he thought he had provided the finish to another ruthless counter attack.

The shrill sound of the half-time whistle came as a complete godsend to the visitors and their loyal support knew they would have to see some serious improvement if they were to return home with their heads held high.

However, it was Liverpool who had the first effort of the second 45, with Babel smashing a 20 yard shot over the top after a lightning break involving Gerrard and Torres.

Bruce obviously felt his side needed a physical presence in the attacking third and threw on Kenwyne Jones within five minutes of the restart.

It at least led to a first shot of the match for the visitors as the Trinidad and Tobago international set up Jordan Henderson to fire a low strike straight at Pepe Reina.

But with Liverpool in such irrepressible from, it only served to anger the hosts, leading to a third of the afternoon on the hour.

Babel's searching cross from the left was nodded back down by Maxi, allowing Johnson to collect 20 yards from goal. The Reds no. 2 dummied a shot before clipping the ball into Torres who showed superb composure to slip an effortless shot past Gordon and into the net.

It signalled the end of what little resistance Sunderland had to offer and both Babel and Kuyt came close to extending the advantage further as Benitez's side looked to bolster their goal difference.

With 10 minutes remaining the away side finally summoned an effort to worry Reina, but Kieran Richardson saw his 30 yarder fly just off target.

A fourth would have capped a truly satisfying display from the hosts, but it wasn't to be, and they will now head to Portugal for Thursday's Europa League quarter-final against Benfica with renewed confidence.