Torres runs Reading ragged

Torres: Hat-trick hero

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• Fernando Torres

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Fernando Torres hit a superb hat-trick as Liverpool overcame a battling Reading side to win 4-2 in the Carling Cup third round.

Reading twice came from behind to peg the Reds back, but lacked the extra class which the Spaniard provided for Liverpool.

Reading's defenders seemed under orders to frustrate the forward, but he showed enough talent to win the game for his side.

After a steady start at The Madejski Stadium, the Reds went ahead after 23 minutes thanks to Yossi Benayoun.

Individual class

The Israeli netted his first for the club, showing his ability with a fantastic solo effort. He was aware to the second ball before nut-megging Andre Bikey and firing into the top corner to beat Adam Federici.

Reading were level in the 28th minute with another phenomenal effort, this time from Bobby Convey. Mohammed Sissoko had cleared Nicky Shorey's corner well, but the ball fell to Convey, who fired low into the far corner to make it 1-1 at the interval.

Torres restored the lead for Liverpool shortly after half time, when debutant Sebastian Leto did well and played a neat throughball. Torres then showed his pace and power and fired the ball past the helpless Reading keeper.

Reading were again level as Liverpool looked shaky from Shorey's set pieces. After a scramble in the box, John Halls fired home his first of the season with Liverpool keeper Charles Intandje to blame.

It did not take Liverpool long to restore the lead once more. Substitute John Arne Riise produced some great work before pulling the ball back for a superb finish from Torres.

Hat-trick

And the Spaniard completed his hat-trick late on when he broke through and confused the Reading goalkeeper enough to take the ball past him and pass it into the back of the net.