Fernando Torres paid tribute to the impact of Ryan Babel after the Dutchman came off the bench to supply him with the winning goal in Saturday's 3-2 victory at West Ham.
El Nino was the talk of the Capital after taking his tally to five league goals for the season with a double against the Hammers - but he was quick to shrug off his heroics by praising his teammate's contribution to the Reds' third successive league triumph.
"Everyone knows Ryan is a fantastic player," said Torres.
"He played on the right wing and he gave me a fantastic cross which was easy for me to attack the ball and score. It is easy for a striker when the cross is as good as that.
"He is a player with quality who can do things like this, so without Ryan I couldn't have scored. It's thanks to him I could score the goal to win it for us.
"We knew before the game that this was a difficult place to come and win. West Ham are a very good team at home but we now have momentum and we got the win.
"We played really well and we deserved it. We need to keep playing like this and keep working hard, because when every player plays well and works so hard then it's difficult for any team to beat Liverpool."
After a lively start to proceedings Torres broke the deadlock with a sensational solo goal at Upton Park.
He admits he was pleased with his first strike of the evening and now hopes that there will be many more to follow for the remainder of the season.
"My mind was to try to cross it as soon as possible because I was on my left foot," he said. "I was looking for a teammate but I didn't see anyone so I just kept going and managed to score, which was nice for me but more important for the team.
"West Ham kept coming back at us but we managed to get the third goal and we have to be happy.
"I hope there will be many more goals. I know when I'm working hard they will arrive so I have to keep working hard all the time for the team."
The victory over the Hammers moves Liverpool to within three points of leaders Chelsea ahead of their clash with Tottenham on Sunday.
Torres feels the Reds are beginning to rekindle the winning mentality that saw them finish second last season.
"We have to keep winning games which is the main thing but the next target is to keep more clean sheets," he said.
"That will be good for the team and good for Pepe. We have to improve and keep more clean sheets."
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N165837090920-0012.htm
After he scored the goal he also ran to celebrate with Babel trying to give him him all the credit and give him confidence. A class act.
El Nino was the talk of the Capital after taking his tally to five league goals for the season with a double against the Hammers - but he was quick to shrug off his heroics by praising his teammate's contribution to the Reds' third successive league triumph.
"Everyone knows Ryan is a fantastic player," said Torres.
"He played on the right wing and he gave me a fantastic cross which was easy for me to attack the ball and score. It is easy for a striker when the cross is as good as that.
"He is a player with quality who can do things like this, so without Ryan I couldn't have scored. It's thanks to him I could score the goal to win it for us.
"We knew before the game that this was a difficult place to come and win. West Ham are a very good team at home but we now have momentum and we got the win.
"We played really well and we deserved it. We need to keep playing like this and keep working hard, because when every player plays well and works so hard then it's difficult for any team to beat Liverpool."
After a lively start to proceedings Torres broke the deadlock with a sensational solo goal at Upton Park.
He admits he was pleased with his first strike of the evening and now hopes that there will be many more to follow for the remainder of the season.
"My mind was to try to cross it as soon as possible because I was on my left foot," he said. "I was looking for a teammate but I didn't see anyone so I just kept going and managed to score, which was nice for me but more important for the team.
"West Ham kept coming back at us but we managed to get the third goal and we have to be happy.
"I hope there will be many more goals. I know when I'm working hard they will arrive so I have to keep working hard all the time for the team."
The victory over the Hammers moves Liverpool to within three points of leaders Chelsea ahead of their clash with Tottenham on Sunday.
Torres feels the Reds are beginning to rekindle the winning mentality that saw them finish second last season.
"We have to keep winning games which is the main thing but the next target is to keep more clean sheets," he said.
"That will be good for the team and good for Pepe. We have to improve and keep more clean sheets."
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N165837090920-0012.htm
After he scored the goal he also ran to celebrate with Babel trying to give him him all the credit and give him confidence. A class act.
