Monday, September 28, 2009

Torres on fire as Liverpool destroy Hull

Fernando Torres scored a stunning hat-trick as the Reds crushed Hull 6-1 at Anfield.

This was the fourth Liverpool hat-trick for Torres, who took his goal tally for the season to eight in seven matches including five in the last two league games.

After a shaky start to the season, Liverpool have now won their last six matches, scoring 18 goals in the process. They currently lie third in the Premier league table, and have the best goal difference.

Rafael Benitez made one change to the side that won at West Ham last weekend, with Riera replacing Mascherano in a more attack-minded selection.

The Spanish winger had an immediate impact as his low ball in from the left was shifted out of his feet by the quick-thinking Torres before he rolled into the far corner.

It was far from an ideal start for Hull, who had lost their previous three matches, but they quickly hit back when Skrtel could only flick the ball up in the air from a cross into the box, and Geovanni cooly directed it into the corner from 10 yards.

Torres restored the lead on the half hour mark, slipping on to a Benayoun through pass, rounding Sonko and Myhill before side-footing into the net.

Hull simply could not live with the Spanish marksman and he sealed his hat-trick two minutes after the break, again found by Benayoun and again coming inside Sonko before firing home.

Liverpool began to run riot, and Gerard scored Liverpool’s fourth with a cross-shot from the left that swirled over Myhill's head and flew in-off the crossbar. Babel then converted Kuyt’s cross at the near post for the fifth, and in injury time Riera's shot struck Babel and looped over Myhill to make it six.

Watch all the Liverpool goals here.

Liverpool next head to Florence knowing that a victory would put them well on course for a place in the knockout stage of the Champions League. The Reds got off to a winning start in Group E with a 1-0 success over Debrecen and another three points against the Italian side would leave put them in a strong qualifying position. The Italians suffered a 1-0 defeat against Lyon in their first match and need a positive result to get their campaign back on track.

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