FERNANDO TORRES hit a sparkling hat-trick as Liverpool made mincemeat of Hull.
The Spain goal king opened the scoring before Geovanni snatched a leveller.
That kick-started the Reds, as Torres ran riot with two more. Steven Gerrard smashed home a breathtaking fourth before a Ryan Babel double completed the Kop rout.
It had taken Liverpool just 11 minutes to get ahead. Albert Riera slid the ball through to Torres, who twisted Ibrahima Sonko inside out before slotting home.
It was the worst possible start for the Tigers — who have NEVER beaten Liverpool in any competitions.
Despite their woeful Reds record, Hull pulled themselves up by their bootstraps. And Phil Brown's men were level within four minutes.
After a break down the left flank, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink's header was weakly cleared by Martin Skrtel.
The loose ball fell for Geovanni — and the Brazilian thumped home to equalise.
Lucas was kicking himself in the 23rd minute when he scuffed Emilinao Insua's cross straight at Boaz Myhill.
It was the sort of chance masterful Torres puts away all day. And the ace restored Liverpool's lead just five minutes later.
The 25-year-old cut inside, flummoxed Sonko, Myhill and Liam Cooper before poking home. And minutes after the restart, Torres banged home the goal that made the match-ball his. Torres bamboozled Sonko again before tucking home past Myhill. Incredibly, it was the star's FOURTH Liverpool treble. Liverpool didn't take their foot off the gas, and Gerrard leathered home from long range.
The skipper had his corner fired back out to him on the wing. And Gerrard curled a stunning shot past helpless Myhill. With Gerrard off, Babel had a point to prove and snuck in a fifth by turning in Dirk Kuyt's right-wing cross late on. The Dutchman got lucky with a second in injury time when he deflected Riera's shot over Myhill.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua, Lucas, Gerrard (Mascherano 74), Benayoun (Voronin 77), Kuyt, Riera, Torres (Babel 67). Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Aurelio, Kyrgiakos, Ngog. Booked: Skrtel.
Goals: Torres 12, 28, 47, Gerrard 61, Babel 88, 90.
Hull: Myhill, McShane, Sonko, Cooper, Dawson, Geovanni (Altidore 83), Boateng, Kilbane (Marney 64), Hunt, Vennegoor of Hesselink (Cousin 63), Ghilas. Subs Not Used: Warner, Barmby, Zayatte, Olofinjana. Booked: Kilbane, Hunt, McShane, Marney. Goals: Geovanni 15.
Att: 44,392
Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).
The Spain goal king opened the scoring before Geovanni snatched a leveller.
That kick-started the Reds, as Torres ran riot with two more. Steven Gerrard smashed home a breathtaking fourth before a Ryan Babel double completed the Kop rout.
It had taken Liverpool just 11 minutes to get ahead. Albert Riera slid the ball through to Torres, who twisted Ibrahima Sonko inside out before slotting home.
It was the worst possible start for the Tigers — who have NEVER beaten Liverpool in any competitions.
Despite their woeful Reds record, Hull pulled themselves up by their bootstraps. And Phil Brown's men were level within four minutes.
After a break down the left flank, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink's header was weakly cleared by Martin Skrtel.
The loose ball fell for Geovanni — and the Brazilian thumped home to equalise.
Lucas was kicking himself in the 23rd minute when he scuffed Emilinao Insua's cross straight at Boaz Myhill.
It was the sort of chance masterful Torres puts away all day. And the ace restored Liverpool's lead just five minutes later.
The 25-year-old cut inside, flummoxed Sonko, Myhill and Liam Cooper before poking home. And minutes after the restart, Torres banged home the goal that made the match-ball his. Torres bamboozled Sonko again before tucking home past Myhill. Incredibly, it was the star's FOURTH Liverpool treble. Liverpool didn't take their foot off the gas, and Gerrard leathered home from long range.
The skipper had his corner fired back out to him on the wing. And Gerrard curled a stunning shot past helpless Myhill. With Gerrard off, Babel had a point to prove and snuck in a fifth by turning in Dirk Kuyt's right-wing cross late on. The Dutchman got lucky with a second in injury time when he deflected Riera's shot over Myhill.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua, Lucas, Gerrard (Mascherano 74), Benayoun (Voronin 77), Kuyt, Riera, Torres (Babel 67). Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Aurelio, Kyrgiakos, Ngog. Booked: Skrtel.
Goals: Torres 12, 28, 47, Gerrard 61, Babel 88, 90.
Hull: Myhill, McShane, Sonko, Cooper, Dawson, Geovanni (Altidore 83), Boateng, Kilbane (Marney 64), Hunt, Vennegoor of Hesselink (Cousin 63), Ghilas. Subs Not Used: Warner, Barmby, Zayatte, Olofinjana. Booked: Kilbane, Hunt, McShane, Marney. Goals: Geovanni 15.
Att: 44,392
Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).
