Premier League: Blackpool 2 Liverpool 1

Blackpool fought back to take all three points at Bloomfield Road in Kenny Dalglish’s first Premier League clash back in charge of Liverpool.

The Reds, missing captain Steven Gerrard through suspension, could hardly have made a better start when Fernando Torres smashed them into a third-minute lead.

But Blackpool showed the spirit and skill that has personified their season to date, fighting back to seal a 2-1 win with goals either side of half-time from Gary Taylor-Fletcher and DJ Campbell.

It secured a brilliant double for Ian Holloway’s men following their win at Anfield earlier in the season and moved them into the top half of the table.

But it means two defeats in his first two games for Dalglish and it does not get much easier for the Liverpool legend with the Merseyside derby against Everton at the weekend.

It took just 140 seconds for Liverpool to break the deadlock.

Youngster Martin Kelly, making his second start since Dalglish took control of the managerial reins, overlapped on the right wing before feeding Torres, who smashed high into the roof of the net.

But Blackpool were level 10 minutes later. Liverpool carelessly gave the ball away in their own half and Taylor-Fletcher bundled through before calmly slotting past Pepe Reina.

Campbell almost put Blackpool ahead moments later but headed wide as Liverpool failed to clear their lines while, on the half-hour mark, Taylor-Fletcher almost punished Reina’s scuffed clearance but his lob drifted wide.

Blackpool began the second half brightly and Reina was called upon twice to deny them – keeping out Charlie Adam’s fizzing drive then tipping over David Vaughan’s snapshot from the edge of the box.

Torres, Raul Meireles and Dirk Kuyt went close as the visitors began to take control but they were caught out by a classic counter punch in the 70th minute.

Neal Eardley’s deep diagonal ball was won by Ian Evatt, who nodded down to Campbell to head past Reina from six yards.

Liverpool thought they had a penalty moments later when Evatt handled Kelly’s cross but referee Michael Oliver gave a push against Torres, who was booked for his protests.