Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez insisted two-goal hero Fernando Torres could become even better after the Reds edged a five-goal thriller 3-2 over West Ham at Upton Park.
Torres and Dirk Kuyt put Liverpool in front but Alessandro Diamanti, with a penalty, and Carlton Cole levelled. But Spain forward Torres head the winner in the 75th minute, delighting Benitez.
"If he continues to play like he did, he can be one of the best," said Benitez. "When you talk about the Premier League you talk about a lot of players with quality so it is not easy to pick just one, but he is among the best."
The victory, Liverpool's fourth successive win, lifted the Reds into third place in the table and left West Ham in 14th. Benitez also praised Kuyt and substitute Ryan Babel, who set up Torres' winner.
"We were in control of the game and the reaction of the team was very positive," said Benitez. "I could see that Kuyt was tired and Ryan was really good. His pace was crucial for us and the key at the end."
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola admitted it was difficult to find an answer to Torres.
"He is a great striker, he is not easy to mark," said Zola. "It is not easy to defend against players like him especially when they are in the form he was in."
But Zola was more encouraged by West Ham's performance and promised they will soon improve.
"It was very encouraging," said Zola. "We were unfortunate not to pick up any points. But we will get better and it won't be long."
One of the successes for Zola, along with new-boy Diamanti, was the performance of winger Zavon Hines, saying: "The boy is taking his chances very well."
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ther's more to @#$% frm torres by looks of stuff.persnally he's going to be in loads of action this season then last.And the spain world cup qualifer will be fun to watch this year with him and Villa!!!!!!!!!
Going to be a long hard season for 2 world class footballers, namely Gerrard and Torres, as they will finish with nothing again. Apart from those two, the reast are average players, no class in deeth like MU, Chelsea or Arsenal, shame but thats life.
Michael Owen,NOW its time for you to stick one between the legs of Mr 'SLOMO' Carragherrrrrrr at the C**K END,
ooops i meant the Kop End!!!..haha..GOD,those pesky SCOUSE S***e will be so LIVID!!!..OUCH!!..LOL!!!..DAMN,i cant FREAKIN wait!!!...
Michael, WELCOME TO MANCHESTER!!..The Theater Of Dreams...Where Real Dreams are made of..
HALLELUJAH!!!..GGMU!!!...cherio..:)..
Addendum : No mention of Glen Johnson in defence, as he should be playing a wingers position by the end the year, unless we see some improvement in defensive qualities. Am a fan of him already, but think we'll get punished by bigger teams through the hole he leaves at the back. And any idea when we'll see Aquilani?
Torres is great value for money, Riera still impresses. But where has the rest of the money gone? Babel is too inconsistent, and pleeeeaaase can we off-load the bloody useless Lucas in January?? He can only pass sideways or backwards, creates nothing and has all the technique of that other concrete donkey we had to endure, Emile Heskey. Whilst Kuyt has been good out on the right, we need him up front with Torres so Gerrard can come back to fill the hole left by Alonso, and cover Lucas' @#$%-ups. Totally agree with the Carlton Cole comment, exactly the sort of strong-man we need up front, especially if anything should happen to Kuyt/Torres. Oh, and Carra hasn't got the pace any more, but Skrtl and Agger at CB? No experience in the centre = no title hopes. Carra in centre with Sk/Ag, Carra wide when playing against pacey strikers as too little options at back (not seen the new guy in action yet to make a call on him). Note to The Godfather....SELL LUCAS, Stop rotating from day 1 of the season. You're already an Anfield Legend, but win us a title and I'LL have your babies!!! (Scientific break-thru's permitting!)
carra is passed it..ive said it since last season..agger is back now so he should start wit him instead of carra
Rafa should put some money together and TRY to buy Carlton Cole from West Ham in January becouse we have NO ONE to replace Torres. Without Torres we pla for draw.
he would also be able to play in CL since he is not cup-tied. And, he is Englishman.
comment 2 nice to see another intellegent post from the bigggest idiot on these boards do you really have nothing football related to say or are you a complete moron who is devoid of making coherent and clever conversation with people
torres will get 20 league goals this season however gerrard and carragher both looked tired on saturday they need a break
YNWA 96
THERE IS MORE TO COME FROM THE LIVERPOOL TEAM THEY WILL WIN THE PREMIER LEAGUE THIS SEASON YNWA YNWA YNWA YNWA YNWA
"We couldn't live with Torres"?? He wasn't the only thing we couldn't live with!!! Liverpool won the game at a canter.....We sat too deep, were cluesless up front and didn't rise to the occasion! Worrying times for Hammers fans!! Worst start in 7 seasons, lost 2 key players through injury and can't score for money!! I live in hope however!!! Irons!!!
rafascrackingup.....Rooneys a poor mans Torres and you know it.
Fernanda Torres-first female in men´s football hahahaha @#$%
gud i wud luv to see him improve an score like loadz of goals!! ive got a bet that he will be topscorer soooooo......ya no he better scor sum goals!!
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