A brace from Steven Gerrard helped move Liverpool back to the top of the Barclays Premier League following a 3-0 win at West Ham on Saturday tea-time.
The captain's first-half double and a late tap-in from supersub Ryan Babel means Rafa Benitez's side have scored 101 goals in all competitions in 2008-09, 23 of which belong to Gerrard.
More importantly, the Reds are now above Manchester United on goal difference, though this could change when Alex Ferguson's men play one of two games in hand against their city rivals on Sunday.
Liverpool entered the game knowing anything other than a victory could see United clinch the title in Wigan on Wednesday. The chances of this happening were lessened by the return of Torres, starting a league game alongside Gerrard for just the 12th time this term.
The pair took only two minutes to revive their prolific partnership as Torres threaded a ball through the Hammers backline towards the well-timed run of his accomplice. Gerrard danced round Robert Green and sidefooted into an empty net to bag his 118th Liverpool goal. He was now joint 12th with Kop icon Ian St John in the Anfield scoring charts.
The second eventually arrived on 38 minutes from the penalty spot. It was another former West Ham player, Yossi Benayoun, who chipped a lovely ball to put Torres one-on-one with Green until Boa Morte intervened with a push. Referee Alan Wiley didn't hesitate, and though Gerrard's spot-kick was initially saved, the skipper followed up to convert the rebound, equal his best ever season's tally and move clear of The Saint.
Benitez felt comfortable enough to withdraw the returning Torres with 20 minutes remaining, and his confidence proved well-placed as substitute Babel put the seal on an impressive victory five minutes from time by converting a Kuyt cross from close range via a Green parry.
what a great match..cuma aku je tak tgk..keh keh tertido..hampeh punye supporter..
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