That's what they've been waiting for. Kenny Dalglish praised two-goal Fernando Torres for his overall performance in the 3-0 win at Wolves which gave the Scot his first win as Liverpool manager for almost 20 years.

The Spain international side-footed home the simplest of efforts in the first half from Raul Meireles' pass and then fired home a second in the 90th minute after the Portugal midfielder had made it 2-0 with a spectacular volley. Indeed, Meireles's blistering goal is surely a contender for goal of the season.

Torres, however, is now Liverpool's leading scorer with nine – all in the Premier League – after hitting three in his last three matches. But the manager was equally as pleased to see the 26-year-old putting in a shift leading the line and defending from the front in much the same way as the Scot's strike partner Ian Rush did when they played together three decades ago.

"It is the best [performance] since I've come in, the way he worked," said Dalglish of Torres. "It was not just his goals it was the work-rate he put in. He really helped us by closing the goalkeeper down. The keeper kicks it the full length of the pitch and that is a great asset for him and we asked him to nullify that and he did.

"He showed he wanted to do something and he did it. The goal he scored last week [in the defeat at Blackpool] wouldn't have done him any harm so I'm very happy."

One of Dalglish's key aims is to find a player to support Torres in the current transfer window with the club targeting Ajax's Luis Suarez. The Dutch club's coach Frank de Boer has urged the Reds to make a swift move for the Uruguay international.

"We won't let Luis go on 31 January at 23.55," he told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. "It's logical and a deal which I made with Rik van den Boog [general director of Ajax].

"To replace Suarez will be difficult, but we are ready. We have a Plan B, we know what we want if he leaves."

Dalglish refused to comment on speculation about Suarez or claims the club have had a £4million bid for Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam turned down.

But he is keen the strengthen the squad and has been told by owners Fenway Sports Group they will provide funding for targets they feel are appropriate and available at the right price.

"The owners are very supportive and we can bring players in if we find them but the most important thing is to bring in players who can improve us," said the Reds boss. Also we have a huge responsibility to do it responsibly.

"We are not going to comment on any individual player at any club, we prefer to tell you when we have got something to tell you. I don't think it is fair for us to comment on what is going on or speculate.

"We can bring players in if we want to and it does not depend on people going out. There is no sum of money because that would be stupid but if we need something then it is there."

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy bemoaned the defensive error which allowed Liverpool to take the lead – Ronald Zubar playing Meireles onside by dropping too deep – and felt his side should have done better early on.

"I think we let them off the hook by trying to play offside after 30-odd minutes," he said. "We then got done by a wonder-strike which no-one is stopping - you could have put two goalkeepers in.

"The third one is incidental because the game was finished – two mistakes and a wonder strike."

McCarthy felt Dalglish's return to the dugout a fortnight ago has had a major influence on Liverpool, although he expressed his sympathy for predecessor Roy Hodgson.

"We beat them when Roy was there. He is such a great guy and a top coach but it is Kenny Dalglish coming out of the stand. I think he is enjoying a support and a warmth Roy didn't.

"He has garnered and nutured that and they are on a better roll than they were because of it."

Or any sort of roll. Dalglish's next task is to keep Torres scoring and keep Liverpool winning. But at least a milestone has now been reached.