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A week in football can promise much. Arsenal defeated AC Milan famously at San Siro, swept aside their gloom and got their season back on track. For Liverpool, the season just seems to get better.

Last week, some semblance of peace descended on Anfield after Benitez and Hicks called for ceasefire. The manager was offered a new contract which will stretch to 2012, Javier Mascherano’s 18.6 million pounds contract was completed and the Bolton bogeyman was put to the sword.

In this match against West Ham, it was a comprehensive 4-0 victory. Revenge is sweet as a stoppage time penalty at Upton Park in January cost Liverpool three points. Fernando Torres notched his second successive hat-trick and lifted Liverpool to fourth in the Premier League, displacing Everton on goal difference.

Gerrard put the seal on the victory with a trademark run and long-range drive. However, the night belongs to Torres alone. His hat-trick emphasizes his evolving skills as a poacher: sense of awareness, accuracy, pace and power. He has scored 24 goals so far, (nowhere near midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo’s 30), but considering this is Torres debut season and Liverpool’s campaign taking on a yo-yo behavior, the return on investment is above expectations.

From the word go, Liverpool were the aggressor, charging forward in numbers and retaining possession with slick passing. West Ham were reminded why they are a mid-table team and any lofty ambitions will have to wait. A barren 45 years record of not winning a league game at Anfield was set to be extended.

As early as the 8th minute, Dirk Kuyt made a low cross which Torres connected quickly, drilling the ball past Robert Green before Anton Ferdinand can made a clearance. Liverpool then lapsed momentarily when Luis Boa Morte rounded keeper Jose Reina, but Alvaro Arbeloa cut out the danger in the nick of time.

After the break, Torres continued his rampage with a simple header from Kuyt’s cross, a fitting punishment for the sloppy West Ham defense. However, Torres was not done yet. After wasting a chance when his diving header hit a post, he completed his hat-trick in the 80th minute. Taking a knockdown from Risse, Torres weaved his way into the six-yard box and rolled the ball past Green. Two minutes later, Gerrard blasted home the fourth goal with a blistering drive.

Benitez said: “We started the season well, but at this crucial stage of the season we are playing really well. It was important to win tonight because we have been talking about this game in hand for a long time, but now when you see the points, it is much better for the confidence.

On Torres, Benitez added: “If he continues scoring goals, I’m sure he will be a threat for all defenders, but he can give us more than that because the defenders might be thinking about him and give a chance to Babel, Gerrard, Kuyt or another.”

Early in the season, Liverpool were undone by Birmingham, Wigan, Middlesbrough, West Ham and Reading, which forced them to concede the Premier League battle in January. In order to prevent next season’s campaign from being derailed, they cannot punch above their weight against the Goliaths but trip up against lowly teams. Benitez’s expensively assembled squad must set their sights on emulating the all-conquering ’80s team.

Liverpool have enjoyed a good run whilst adopting the 4-2-3-1 formation. Whether Benitez adhere to this winning formula and maintaining the core group of players remains to be seen. Fabio Aurelio was absent and it was surprising given his solid display in his last match. John Arne Riise was fielded after being excluded for an inept display in the FA Cup humiliation to Barnsley, fortunately, his performance was satisfactory. As for Martin Skrtel, he is a rare find and I am glad to see his continued improvement into a defensive bedrock.

With only ten league matches left, if Liverpool maintain their fine form, Everton will be wondering what it takes to qualify for the final Champions League berth after slogging tirelessly and maintaining a consistent form for most of the season. For now, Liverpool have to turn their attention to Newcastle (not in the best of form) and then secure the Inter Milan match (a clear advantage already established), followed by a clash with Manchester United on March 23.

Liverpool is most dangerous at this stage of the season - to prepare for the Champions League battles as well as to grab the fourth spot. Everton can only keep their fingers crossed.

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