Derby hero Torres eyes bumper haul

Fernando Torres believes he can top last season's 33-goal tally after rediscovering his scoring form to earn Liverpool victory in the Merseyside derby.

The striker had been out of touch this term, with just one goal since his Euro 2008 heroics for Spain, but his two goals in three second-half minutes maintained Liverpool's unbeaten record this season and left Everton still searching for their first home win of the campaign.

Torres said after Liverpool's 2-0 victory: "I hope to go on a run like last season and maybe get more than the 33 I managed then."

He added: "I have kept working hard at my game and I knew the goals would come.

"It has been a difficult start for me this season after a busy summer, but now I have got myself back into form with these two."

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was not quite so ambitious, admitting: "I would settle for 32 from him! If he does that I will be happy.

"We are playing with confidence and controlled the game. We are top, probably for only a while, but we want to make sure we are at the top for a long time.

"As for the red card, Xabi told me it could have been a lot worse, he felt it was justified."

Everton's day was made worse by the red card which was shown to Tim Cahill by referee Mike Riley for a late challenge on Xabi Alonso.

Everton manager David Moyes did not feel the tackle warranted a red card, and said: "It was not the worst foul of the day and I felt it was only a yellow. We will be asking the referee to have a look at the decision and hope he will rescind the card."