Fernando Torres scored twice to help Liverpool overcome battling West Ham. The victory, Liverpool’s fourth successive win, lifted Liverpool into third place in the Barclays Premier League. The Hammers, still looking for their first win since the opening day of the season, started off brightly and came within a whisker of taking the lead within only two minutes.
The Jamaican-born Hines, making his second Premier League start, stole possession from the napping Carragher on the edge of the box but could only curl his shot against the upright.
The Reds though, adopting a 4-2-3-1 formation with Torres as the solo striker, poured forward and grabbed the opener on 20 minutes thanks to a dash of Spanish magic.
The West Ham midfield lost the ball to Emiliano Insua and his through-ball found Torres on the left who weaved around James Tomkins before blasting over the on-rushing Green.
But the home side were back in the game in the 28th minute when referee Andre Marriner adjudged that Hines had been pushed by Carragher in the box.
Up stepped Italian Diamanti for the spot-kick and although the ball flew over Pepe Reina, the Liverpool bench were incensed, claiming the striker had kicked the ball twice after slipping.
Liverpool fought back and grabbed the lead again with Kuyt's boot getting on the end of a towering Gerrard header from an inswinging Benayoun corner.
For all of Liverpool's possession, West Ham's frontline was always threatening and stunned the visitors on the stroke of half-time when Cole outjumped three defenders to nod in the equaliser.
The second period was a case of West Ham hanging on with a handful of players suffering from cramp as Liverpool poured forward looking for the winning goal.
The Reds finally clinched the game in the 75th minute when substitute Babel’s cross was headed into the corner of the net by Torres from eight yards.
Watch all the Liverpool goals here.
In their next match, Liverpool begin their quest for the Carling Cup with a third round tie against Leeds United at Elland Road. The two teams haven't met since Leeds' relegation from the Barclays Premier League in 2004 and, last time, Harry Kewell and Milan Baros were the Reds' scorers in an entertaining 2-2 draw at Elland Road.
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