Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has hailed Fernando Torres after his scored his second hat-trick in this week's victory over West Ham United.

"Fernando is frightening. From the opening home game of the season to Chelsea when he scored a cracker, he has been consistent all the way," Gerrard told liverpoolfc.tv.

"He got off to a good start then and now he has hit 18 Premier League goals, the first person to do that here since Michael Owen. So far so good and hopefully he can continue like this right to the end of the season.

"He has pace, power and is very direct but the most important thing for us is his work rate. He hasn't come here as a star, he is chipping in with his work as well and when you get that from a player as well you cannot ask for much more."