Belgian centre back Thomas Vermaelen was a less likely two-goal hero as his double set up Arsenal for a 4-0 home thrashing of Wigan Athletic - emphatically avoiding a hat-trick of defeats after losses to Manchester United and City.
Aston Villa also gained ground on the leaders with a 2-0 home victory over bottom side Portsmouth, who are still without a point after six games.
Promoted Burnley's good start continued when they beat Sunderland 3-1 with two goals on his debut for on-loan striker David Nugent, Birmingham City beat Hull City 1-0 away while Bolton Wanderers and Stoke City drew 1-1.
There are four games on Sunday, including the Manchester derby and Chelsea versus Spurs at Stamford Bridge.
BURST THROUGH
Dirk Kuyt restored Liverpol's lead after 41 minutes when he diverted a Steven Gerrard header into the net only for Carlton Cole to level again at the end of the half with a sharp glancing header.
The visitors gradually exerted more pressure in the second half and took the points when Torres nodded in Ryan Babel's cross after 75 minutes.
"He's scoring goals and he was on fire today with the two goals for us," Gerrard told ESPN when asked about criticism of Spain forward Torres's early season form.
"He's been playing OK to me. People are talking about it, but those are the standards he's set."
Liverpool's third win in a row after a sticky start to the season has lifted them back into the top four.
"We can enjoy tomorrow now," Gerrard said of Sunday's two big games. "It was important we got our three points in the bag today as the sides above us are going to drop points."
Emmanuel Eboue got the third on the hour when he diverted an Eduardo Da Silva shot and Cesc Fabregas backheeled a late fourth to take Arsenal's goal tally to 17 in five league games.
"We scored four today and we could have scored more. That shows we have potential," manager Arsene Wenger told reporters.
"It is good for the confidence of the team that we didn't concede and I think w
