League Cup : Torres give lesson to Benitez

Fernando Torres scored a hat-trick to inspire Liverpool to a 4-2 victory at Reading in the League Cup third round.

The Spain striker was on target three times in the second half after Israeli Yossi Benayoun had put Liverpool in front before the break with his first goal for the club.

Benayoun's 23rd-minute effort was cancelled out by Bobby Convey's volley before Torres pounced five minutes after the break with a precise low finish after being played in by Sebastian Leto.

Reading levelled again after 64 minutes through John Halls but Torres proved the difference.

John Arne Riise came off the bench to tee up Torres after 72 minutes and the Spaniard struck again four minutes from time after rounding the Reading keeper.

Reading 2
Convey (28), Hall (64)

Liverpool 4
Benayoun (23), Torres (50, 72, 86)

Starting Lineup for Liverpool
Itandje, Finnan, Caragher, Arbeloa, Aurelio (Riise) , Leiva (Hobbs) , Sissoko, Leto, Benayoun, Torres, Crouch (Gerrard)
Subs (not used)
Martin, Putteril

Yellow Card:
Leiva

Man of the match:
Torres with hatrick

Liverpool Stats
Goal Attempt :
9
Off target :
5
Offside :
4
Corners :
3
Fouls :
15