Diamanti (pen) 29   Torres 25, 75

Cole 45                    Kuyt 41

Fernando Torres bagged a brace of goals as Liverpool edged out West Ham in a five-goal thriller at Upton Park.

A terrific solo effort put Rafa Benitez’s men a goal up on 20 minutes. And, after Liverpool’s poor defending had contributed to an exciting encounter, the Spanish international headed home the winner with fifteen minutes remaining.

The Hammers fully played their part in the evening’s entertainment, with the lively Zavon Hines giving Liverpool’s rearguard the runaround, especially in the opening period.

And the Jamaican-born youngster nearly gave the Hammers a second minute lead, hitting the post with his right-foot shot after dispossessing a careless Jamie Carragher and bearing down on goal.

Liverpool soon served warning that this might have been an aberration.

Yossi Benayoun and Torres both threatening before the latter wove his way skilfully around James Tomkins and caught keeper Robert Green with a lightning fast finish into the roof of the net.

West Ham struck back admirably, Hines outflanking Carragher before forcing the Liverpool man into a clear shove in the back inside the penalty area.

Italian home debutant Alessandro Diamanti appeared to hammer the penalty straight down the middle past a diving Pepe Reina. But Liverpool players protested that Diamanti struck the ball twice, having slipped just as he took the kick.

Liverpool were in front again on 41 minutes, Dirk Kuyt diverting a goalbound Steven Gerrard header from a corner into the net.

But an unmarked Carlton Cole headed West Ham level right on half-time as Liverpool’s zonal marking from set-pieces was exposed again.

Liverpool gradually wore down their tiring opponents after half-time and Torres headed the winner in the 76th minute, from a delightful cross from the right flank by substitute Ryan Babel.

This gave the Hammers a second wind and it was Liverpool who were eventually more grateful for the final whistle.