Torres The Hat Trick Hero, Liverpool Advance

Liverpool advanced into the fourth round of the League Cup last night after a 4-2 win over Reading which saw Fernando Torres bag not one, or two - but three goals for himself. Payback for not starting against Birmingham?

Yossi Benayoun scored a right screamer in the first half, 23 minutes in, dipping past two defenders on the right-edge of the box to rifle the ball beyond the keeper and into the top of the goal. Terrific solo effort by the Israeli international. It didn’t take long for Reading to catch up, Bobby Convey smashing home past Itandje in the Liverpool goal, from equal distance. Here we go again? (says he flashing back to last season).

Torres put Liverpool back in the lead five minutes after the break, matching the Reading defense with strength, edging out in pace to race into the box and fire low into the bottom right corner, great finisher. But, turn the clock on another 15 minutes or so and it’s back level at 2-2, John Halls getting the better opportunity out of a messy situation in the Liverpool box to tap home Reading’s second and tie up the game.

Not to be outdone though, Torres was firing on all cylinders at this point, his second goal lifting the roof of the net while his third showed complete calm and control. Torres raced through a high Reading backline, acres of space to take on the ‘keeper in a one-on-one situation, taking the ball to the ‘keepers left to slot home for his hat trick.

Terrific night for Fernando Torres, hopefully more of the same when we return to Premier League and European action next week. Torres to start against Wigan away this Saturday? Rafa says nobody is guaranteed a start, but after last night’s performance you’d have to wonder. Mind you, given the way Reading were flying in with the tackles, its amazing that both Torres and Crouch walked away without injuries, the striking duo targets last night for a lot of hefty challenges.

Onwards to Wigan.

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