Graphic: Bill Edgar's tactical analysis

It is fitting that Liverpool supporters hail Fernando Torres to the tune of The Animals Went In Two by Two because, just as Noah proved a saviour to the elephant, kangaroo and other jungle friends, there was the distinct feeling at Deepdale on Saturday of the Spain striker coming to the rescue of Robbie Keane, who has had a tough time of it in his team-mate’s prolonged absence.

Indeed, it is difficult to determine who will have been the happier to see Torres back in the fray after 5½ weeks out with a hamstring injury — the fans or Keane. There was something merciful about the sight of the Spaniard replacing Keane in the 73rd minute of a match that the Ireland striker would have had sewn up by half-time had he not spurned probably the easiest opportunity for a hat-trick that he will ever get.

As such, the final stages were far more uncomfortable for Liverpool than they should have been and it was only in the dying seconds of an enjoyable FA Cup third-round tie that Preston North End were eventually seen off, Steven Gerrard launching a 50-yard breakaway before selflessly passing to Torres to score with the simplest of tap-ins.

To judge from this performance, you would have thought it was Keane — not Gerrard — who had a court case hanging over him, such was the weight that appeared to be resting on the Irishman’s shoulders. Most suspected Keane had turned a corner with three goals in two Barclays Premier League matches against Arsenal and Bolton Wanderers over the Christmas period, but perhaps only the return of Torres will alleviate the burden of expectation that he has struggled under since his £20.3 million move from Tottenham Hotspur.

Whether Keane holds down a starting place for much longer with Torres back remains to be seen, but he will surely benefit from having the Spaniard alongside him if Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, does decide to play the pair in unison.

Keane has looked desperately uncomfortable leading the line alone and it is little surprise that the Spaniard’s return is being treated like a new signing. “Having Torres back has given everyone a big lift,” Jamie Carragher, the Liverpool defender, said.

Torres is eager to make up for lost time. “It is always frustrating when you are not playing, but the team has shown they can win without Stevie and me, which is very important,” he said. “I came to Liverpool to win trophies and I hope this can be the year we can do that. I want 2009 to be better than 2008 for Liverpool.”

In spite of Keane’s travails, Liverpool have coped well without their leading scorer last season, but it is doubtful that they would have performed to such a level had it been Gerrard on the sidelines for much of the first half of the season. He may be due to appear at North Sefton Magistrates’ Court on January 23 after being charged with assault and affray in connection with an alleged bar-room brawl last week, but he never allowed his concentration to wander against Preston, dominating the midfield and driving Liverpool forward.

“He is the best in the world when you take everything into consideration, consistency, versatility, quality,” Neil Mellor, the Preston striker, formerly of Liverpool, said.

Keane had already erred once, skewing a shot horribly wide from close range, by the time Albert Riera put Liverpool in front, cutting inside his marker from the right byline and rifling the ball into the top of the net.

Another two “gimmes” had gone astray by the time Keane was presented with a fourth gilt-edged opportunity on the brink of half-time, but the manner in which the player hesitated and then chose to pass, rather than shoot with the goal at his mercy, said everything about his lack of confidence.

Preston did have the ball in Liverpool’s net but Sean St Ledger’s header was disallowed after Jon Parkin had fouled Carragher, even though the Liverpool defender was fortunate not to concede a penalty for wrestling Parkin to the ground moments earlier.

Liverpool, though, were worthy winners and should prove an even tougher proposition with Torres back. “Hurrah! Hurrah!” as Keane may say.

Preston North End (4-4-2): A Lonergan 7 — B Jones 5, Y Mawene 5, S St Ledger 7, C Davidson 5 (sub: E Nolan, 56min 6) — C Sedgwick 6, R Chaplow 5 (sub: B Nicholson, 81), P McKenna 6, R Wallace 7 — J Parkin 5, N Mellor 5 (sub: S Elliott, 62 6). Substitutes not used: C Neil, C Brown, D Carter, S Whaley. Booked: Chaplow.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): D Cavalieri 6 — J Carragher 6, S Hyypia 7, D Agger 7, E Insua 6 — J Mascherano 7 (sub: F Aurélio, 83), X Alonso 7 (sub: Lucas Leiva, 46 7) — R Babel 6, S Gerrard 8, A Riera 7 — R Keane 5 (sub: F Torres, 73). Substitutes not used: J M Reina, D Ngog, N El Zhar, M Skrtel.

Referee: M Atkinson Attendance: 23,046

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