During his time at Anfield, Fernando Torres was one of the most feared strikers in world football, and his fall from grace since moving to Chelsea in a £50m deal was a shock to most fans of the Premier League.

Very few forwards troubled defenders in the same way as Torres, but the Spaniard will be the first to admit that his partnership with Steven Gerrard was a key factor in his impressive goalscoring record with the club.

On this day in 2008, Torres and Gerrard combined once again to lead Liverpool to the most comfortable of 3-0 victories over Newcastle United on Merseyside.

Kevin Keegan had failed to win any of his seven matches since returning to Newcastle for a second spell, but the early signs were good for the visitors as Liverpool struggled to create chances against a stubborn defence.

Torres threatened early on when he found space in the box, but he could only fire an effort straight at Steve Harper from a difficult angle as frustration grew in the stands.

It looked as though Newcastle would reach half time on level terms until the hosts broke the deadlock with a slice of luck as future Liverpool full-back Jose Enrique struck Jermaine Pennant with a clearance and watched on helplessly as the ball looped over Harper.

If the opening goal was fortunate, the second was brilliant from Liverpool as Gerrard sprinted at the Newcastle defence before playing an inch-perfect pass to Torres, who kept his composure to take the ball past Harper and convert for his 25th goal of the season.

Any hopes of a Newcastle comeback were dashed six minutes into the second half when Torres led another attack alongside Gerrard, and it was the midfielder who completed a fine move by collecting his teammate's pass and finding the net with a clever chipped finish.

Rafael Benitez's side continued to cause problems for the visiting defenders, and only a stunning stop from Harper prevented Gerrard from scoring his second of the afternoon.

Much to the relief of Keegan and the Newcastle back four, Benitez decided to hand Gerrard and Torres well-earned rests in the closing stages after their match-winning performances.

Obafemi Martins almost reduced the deficit late on with a speculative 35-yard volley which rattled the crossbar, and the final whistle eventually arrived to give Benitez the opportunity to wax lyrical about two of his key men.

"The first goal was a bit lucky but the second was a fantastic piece of play and that one was the big difference," the Spaniard told reporters. "The understanding between Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard is good and they can kill off any team those two."

Gerrard and Torres would combine for 54 goals in all competitions in the 2007-08 campaign to lead Liverpool to Champions League qualification as the Spaniard made the perfect start to life in England.

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Skrtel, Carragher, Riise, Pennant (Hyypia), Alonso, Lucas, Gerrard (Kuyt), Benayoun, Torres (Crouch)

Newcastle: Harper, Beye, Faye, Taylor, Enrique, Milner (Geremi), Butt, N'Zogbia, Duff (Martins), Owen, Smith