The striker notched up his fourth treble for the club on Saturday to help Rafael Benitez's men see off the Tigers and take his tally for the season to eight. It capped an electrifying performance from the number 9, who is now targeting a repeat of last year's Stamford Bridge triumph when they face Carlo Ancelotti's side next Sunday.

”When you score a hat-trick it is always an amazing day”, he said. ”The team scored six, we won the game and it is fantastic for us because we have a lot of confidence now. It was important for me and for my teammates.

”After starting the season with two early defeats we knew we needed to improve. We are now winning games at home against sides in the middle or near the bottom of the table and it has given us more confidence”.

”As a team we are now in a good moment. We must keep trying to improve. We have a difficult game next weekend at Chelsea and we will be on the same points as them if we win the game, so we are looking forward to it.”

After bursting the Hammers' bubble with a deadly double last Saturday, Torres produced the type of virtuoso display that has already seen him cement his place as a Kop idol. A hat-trick inside 48 minutes all-but wrapped up the points for Benitez's side and when Torres was replaced by Ryan Babel soon after, he was far from disappointed to see the Dutchman carry on where he left off.

”Ryan came on in my position and scored two,” he said. “I am really happy for him because he deserves to play. Not everyone can play 90 minutes, so it's good for the team and the squad”.

”Last season was very long for us. We are still not at our best, but we will be soon and performances like today can only help. I am now scoring goals and so is the team - that is good for Liverpool.”

Text by www.liverpoolfc.tv