Liverpool striker Peter Crouch hailed the influence of supersub Fernando Torres after Saturday's victory over Fulham.

Crouch told liverpoolfc.tv: "We've got a lot of quality in the squad and I thought all the boys did well, but Fernando when he came on offered us something different. Credit to him, he got the goal and it all opened up.

"We had to be patient because of Fulham's game-plan, they defended well and it was hard to break them down. But I felt we were always on top and they couldn't keep it up. I think it would have been a few more if the game had gone on a bit longer."

The England international was instrumental in Liverpool's second on 85 minutes when he was tripped by Carlos Bocanegra. Referee Stephen Tanner pointed to the spot, though replays were not conclusive on whether the foul was inside the box.

Crouch joked that he would have scored anyway.

"I don't know if it was in or outside the box - it was borderline but I was ready to take a shot and no doubt that would have flown in.

"It was definitely a foul. Sometimes you get them and sometimes you don't, and thankfully Stevie tucked it away really well."