The Kop calls him “Monster” as in “Monster Masch”. Javier Mascherano is a beast of a talent and one reason Liverpool are looking frightening again.

Rafael Benitez’s side have rediscovered form too late to challenge for the Premier League but they are timing their renaissance perfectly for their European ambitions.

Mascherano, massive in the San Siro on Tuesday, loomed once more yesterday in a victory that was never quite comfortable because of Liverpool’s inability to score a third goal. The two they did get were, however, remarkable. With his second-half winner, Fernando Torres became his club’s first player since Robbie Fowler in 1995-96 to score 20 goals in a league season.

With his first-half equaliser, Mascherano was equally historic. Even Jamie Carragher had a better strike-rate than the Argentine until he rattled one in from 20 yards for his maiden goal for Liverpool. It was only the second at club level in his entire career.

His compatriot, Javier Zanetti, reacted irritably to suggestions Internazionale were eliminated from the Champions League by a side with just two world-class footballers, Torres and Steven Gerrard. What about Mascherano? Zanetti said. Jose Reina and — as a penalty box defender — Jamie Carragher could be added to the list and Xabi Alonso has his world-class days. Alonso was restored to the starting XI after falling out with Benitez and played better than for months.

Steve Coppell was rewarded for selecting Marek Matejovsky, despite trouble created by an interview in which the Czech said his manager “does nothing during training”.

Forgiveness played its part in a game not easy to forget. Matejovsky set it up nicely with his gorgeous opening goal, spurring Liverpool to respond with fluent, thrilling football, driven by their five-star midfield. The second period could not compete for intrigue once Torres gave Liverpool the lead and yet there was almost a twist when, in stoppage time, Gerrard threw himself in front of a shot from Reading substitute Dave Kitson and the ball struck his arm. Andre Marriner ignored calls for a penalty: Gerrard had not intentionally handled but by using his whole body as a barrier, was it entirely accidental the ball struck his arm? “They’ve either all got to be given or none given,” said Coppell, rightly pointing out the lack of consistency in how referees view such situations.

Few pass as sensibly and subtly as Alonso and the Spaniard was integral to Liverpool’s quick and varied movement. Reading would have buckled just a few weeks ago but consecutive wins had given Coppell’s players assurance and they kept their shape and kept a foothold in the game. Matejovsky’s fifth-minute goal was eye-popping. Coppell said he had been working on making his team less predictable at set-pieces and Liverpool had expected John Oster to cross into the box rather than float a free kick towards the far corner of the area.

Nobody could have known how well Matejovsky would catch his volley, a missile that careered off the woodwork and landed in a startled Reina’s net.

Liverpool recovered quickly. Alonso skimmed the bar, Gerrard volleyed close and Torres had gone through on Marcus Hahnemann, forcing a save. Then a lovely sequence of passing brought Mascherano into play and, dropping a shoulder, he burst past Stephen Hunt and thrashed a shot beyond Hahnemann before roaring his celebrations to the Kop. Mascherano gave a true allrounder’s performance involving long and short passing, pneumatic-drill tackling and his new-found goal threat.

Yet Reading could not be discounted and used the ball well on the few occasions they were allowed to enjoy it. Shane Long spurned a chance to play Oster through and threw his shirt at the dugout when substituted. Coppell excused his petulance, saying Long was angry at the refereeing, but said: “I’ve told him I never want to see that again.”

After competing so manfully, it was odd for them to gift Liverpool the winner. Liam Rosenior fouled Torres and Gerrard found his striker with a floated free kick. Andre Bikey and Ivor Ingimarsson did nothing to prevent the world’s deadliest striker on current form from jumping cleanly and getting in a header. Torres powered the ball past Hahnemann unerringly for his 27th strike of the season and 20th in 20 Anfield appearances.

Star man: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool)

Player ratings: Liverpool: Reina 7, Arbeloa 6, Carragher 7, Skrtel 7, Aurelio 7, Alonso 7, Mascherano 8, Kuyt 6 (Benayoun 80min), Gerrard 6 (Hyypia 90min), Babel 6 (Riise 83min), Torres 6
Reading: Hahnemann 7, Rosenior 5, Bikey 6, Ingimarsson 6, Shorey 6, Oster 5 (Kebe 72min), Harper 6, Matejovsky 7 (Cisse 74min), Hunt 4, Doyle 6, Long 5 (Kitson 63min)

Scorers: Liverpool: Mascherano 19, Torres 47 Reading: Matejovsky 5

Yellow cards: Reading: Long, Ingimarsson, Matejovsky, Bikey, Cisse

Referee: A Marriner

Attendance: 43,524