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Torres pays tribute to team-mates

Fernando Torres hailed his Liverpool team-mates after claiming a hat-trick against Hull
Fernando Torres hailed his Liverpool team-mates after claiming a hat-trick against Hull

Striker Fernando Torres may hold the key to Liverpool's success in the Barclays Premier League this season but he is keen to stress the importance of the team around him.

The Spain international has hit a rich vein of form and his superb hat-trick in the 6-1 thrashing of Hull yesterday took his season's tally to eight in seven league matches.

Statistics can be used to back up many an argument but the numbers stacking up around Torres are staggering.

Since his arrival in the summer of 2007 he has scored 46 goals in 64 Premier League appearances, with yesterday's treble his third league hat-trick.

All of his goals against the Tigers oozed class and precision as on three separate occasions he left defenders trailing in his wake but Torres is happy to share both the credit - and oddly for a striker - the goals.

'When you score a hat-trick it is always an amazing day and when the team scores six it is fantastic for us and we have more confidence now,' said the 25-year-old, who had no problems about being substituted midway through the second half.

'I did my work and this is a team game and players deserve to play. Ryan Babel came on and scored two.

'It is important to win and score goals but three was more than enough for me.'

The ease with which victory was assured meant manager Rafael Benitez was able to withdraw both Torres and Steven Gerrard, the other goalscorer, with key games coming up.

Liverpool travel to Fiorentina, in the Champions League on Tuesday, before visiting Chelsea, who lost their 100% record and top spot with defeat at Wigan, next Sunday.

But after six successive victories - four in the Premier League - Torres admits confidence is high in the squad after a disappointing start to the season when they lost two of their opening three matches.

'We have to keep going as we are still not at our best,' he added. 'We have a very hard game against Chelsea next weekend but we are in a fantastic position and we could be on the same points as them if we win that game.'

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