The Spanish striker hit a 25-yard scorcher on 83 minutes following a much-improved second-half performance from Liverpool.Victory comes as a welcome tonic for Benitez - who today responded to newspaper speculation by talking of his contentment on Merseyside - following Wednesday's disappointing display in the Champions League qualifier.
The Anfield boss made two changes from Liege, recalling Steven Gerrard and Sami Hyypia for Xabi Alonso and Daniel Agger - the latter pair having to settle for a place on the Premier League's new seven-man bench.
Sunderland, meanwhile, were without injured striker Kenwyn Jones, though Roy Keane was able to call on summer signings Steed Malbranque, Pascal Chimbonda and El-Hadji Diouf.
Like his new boss, Diouf is always up for a bit of needle, and a pre-match claim that his former teammates would be scared of his 'magic' surely raised the odd eyebrow in the away dressing room. His boast might have been dubious, but the visiting backline did indeed look nervous in the opening exchanges, not least when a Hyypia backpass almost gave Diouf a free run on goal. Jamie Carragher had to be at his very best to save the day.
Another scare arrived on 13 minutes and, yes, Diouf was again in the thick of it, this time sending a perfect cross towards Daryl Murphy, who probably won't SkyPlus the season's first Match of the Day following a tame header into the arms of Pepe Reina.
Liverpool had still to threaten by the time Diouf sent a curling effort narrowly over on 26 minutes. In fact, it took more than half an hour for the visitors to record a first shot of the campaign, Gerrard dragging wide from distance.
The skipper, and therefore Liverpool, began to exert more control on proceedings as the half wore on, while teammate Robbie Keane almost broke the deadlock with a superb turn and shot on 40 minutes. Not that Benitez would have been appeased as Alan Wiley signalled half-time. The Spaniard introduced Alonso for the second half, a decision which gained universal approval among the travelling fans who sang his name throughout the first.
If Alonso's presence ensured Liverpool's passing improved, it was Gerrard who probed whenever the ball entered Sunderland territory.
The number eight shot wide on 51 minutes after a one-two with Yossi Benayoun - who seconds later tested Craig Gordon from close range. Whatever Benitez said at half-time, it seemed to be doing the trick, though a let off in the form of a scuffed shot from Diouf showed Sunderland still had life in them yet. A gilt-edged chance arrived on 72 minutes when a Dirk Kuyt effort was spilled by Gordon, with Keane and Torres getting in one another's way as they pounced on the rebound. Keane was withdrawn shortly after, with Kuyt moving into a central position and Nabil El Zhar entering the fray on the right.
Liverpool were throwing everything at their hosts - even a 60-yard effort from Alonso which, with Gordon in limbo, was only just off target.
Never mind, for the breakthrough, late and dramatic, was just minutes away, and the sweet feet of Alonso again played their part with a searching pass to Torres, who turned before beating Gordon with a 25-yard shot.
The travelling Kop bounced and bounced until the final whistle arrived seven minutes later, and for the second successive season their men have kicked off the campaign with a win.
Teams
Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Collins, Nosworthy (c), Chimbonda, Richardson, Reid, Tainio, Malbranque, Diouf, Murphy. Subs - Chopra, Edwards, Higginbotham, Leadbitter, Stokes, Ward, Whitehead
Liverpool: Reina, Dossena, Carragher, Hyypia, Arbeloa, Benayoun, Gerrard (c), Plessis, Kuyt, Keane, Torres. Subs - Agger, Alonso, Aurelio, Cavalieri, El Zhar, Ngog, Skrtel
Referee: Alan Wiley
Conditions:
Attendance: Unavailable
Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Xabi Alonso
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/match/season/2008-2009/aug//673/finalwhistle.htm
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