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Torres scores another hat-trick as the Reds go fourth

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez hailed Fernando Torres as "on fire" after the Spanish striker hit his second successive Anfield hat-trick to lift his club into fourth spot in the Premier League table.

Torres, who now has 24 goals since his ?21 million (US$41.7 million) arrival before the start of this season, sentenced West Ham United to their second 4-0 defeat in four days after a sizzling performance by Benitez's side.

The Liverpool manager believes Torres is in the best form of his life after scoring six times in his last two Anfield appearances.

"He is on fire at the moment," said Benitez, who revealed he was thinking of bringing Torres off moments before he clinched his third hat-trick for the club. "I was actually talking with Peter Crouch and told him to be ready in a few minutes. Maybe Torres was inspired."

Benitez is confident Liverpool can remain in fourth spot for the remaining 10 games of the season.

They are level on points with arch-rivals Everton, who they entertain on March 30, but are above them by virtue of a superior goal difference.

Liverpool finished the game with only 10 men after Javier Mascherano left the pitch in the dying moments with a dead leg.

Benitez said he expected the midfielder to be available for the weekend.

Defeated 4-0 by Chelsea last Saturday, Hammers manager Alan Curbishley has now seen his side leak eight goals in two games.

"We made no impression on Liverpool at all," said Curbishley as he conducted an urgent inquest into his side's latest pounding.

All three of Torres' goals showcased his lethal touch in front of goal, an inherent awareness of the goalscorer's art and his raw pace and power.

The first came after a Dirk Kuyt cross, Torres reacting before Anton Ferdinand could make a clearance and drilling the ball past Robert Green from 12 yards.

The second, which killed the game as a contest, came shortly after the interval, a simple header from another Kuyt cross.

Torres completed his hat-trick with nine minutes left and two minutes later Steven Gerrard completed the rout with a 25-yard drive.
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