LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) - Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard scored and then turned provider for Fernando Torres in a 3-1 win over Blackburn Rovers at Anfield here Sunday.

The Reds' two leading scorers this season - Spain striker Torres now has 30 for the campaign and midfielder Gerrard 21 - were both on target as Liverpool strengthened their hold on fourth place in the Premier League.

Substitute Andriy Voronin added a third in the 90th minute.

This win left Liverpool five points clear of city rivals Everton in the race for the final Champions League qualifying spot on offer to English clubs.

It also ensured Liverpool, who on Tuesday beat Arsenal to advance into the semi-finals of the Champions League, ended the week on a high after the latest twist in the boardroom row that has rumbled on at Anfied for several months saw American co-owner Tom Hicks call for chief executive Rick Parry's resignation.

Sunday's match was deadlocked until the hour mark when England midfielder Gerrard beat several Rovers players on the edge of the box before sliding the ball past goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

Torres then became the first Liverpool player to score in seven consecutive top-flight games at Anfield when he headed in Gerrard's cross eight minutes from time.

Voronin then got on the end of a John Arne Riise cross to make it 3-0 before Roque Santa Cruz pulled a goal back for Rovers in stoppage time.

Premier League leaders Manchester United, the reigning champions, are in action later Sunday against third-placed Arsenal at Old Trafford.

Victory for United would see Sir Alex Ferguson's side go six points in front of second-placed Chelsea before Monday's match between the Blues and Wigan at Stamford Bridge.

But an away win for Arsenal would draw them level on points with London rivals Chelsea.