The home side should have taken the lead inside the first two minutes when Zavon Hines latched onto an uncharacteristic Jamie Carragher mistake, but the Hammers striker saw his shot come back off the post into the grateful arms of Pepe Reina.
Five minutes later it was Liverpool's turn to waste a good opportunity when Yossi Benayoun was put through after good work from Torres. With only the keeper to beat the former West Ham player tried to bend into the far post, but his effort was easily snaffled by Robert Green.
West Ham continued to pose a threat Liverpool's rearguard. Carlton Cole was stopped with a well timed Martin Skertl tackle before Hines forced a good save from Reina. However, it was the visitor's who made the breakthrough.
Torres Back On Form
Doubts over the form of Torres were expunged after 20 minutes as the Spain striker used his pace to dart past James Tomkins and burst into the box before hitting rasping drive past Robert Green from an acute angle. Worse news was to follow for the Hammers when captain, Matthew Upson and Valon Behrami minutes later both went off injured. Danny Gabbidon and Radoslav Kovac came on as replacements.
Despite the changes for the home side however, they continued to press and were awarded a penalty when Jamie Carragher brought down Hines in the box in the 29th minute. The West Ham striker beat Carragher for pace and though the Liverpool defender leaned on his man Hines went down easily. It was a tame penalty to concede, but new signing Alessandro Diamanti did not waste the opportunity.
Four minutes before the break Liverpool restored their lead. Steven Gerrard rose the highest to meet Benayoun's corner and though the captain's header looked as though it might have crept in Dirk Kuyt stuck out a left leg to guide the ball into the back of the net.
Carlton Cole Takes Teams in Level
The lead didn't last though as West Ham found an equaliser right on the stroke of half-time - and like every other goal Liverpool have conceded this season, it came from a set-piece. Mark Noble's out swinging corner was met by Carlton Cole to head beyond Reina and draw the teams level.
In the second half it was all Liverpool, but for all their possession and endeavour they were unable to create any clear cut chances. Ryan Babel replaced Kuyt and though he struggled to get into the game it was the Dutchman who created the second. Having picked the ball up on the edge of the area, he attacked his man to drive into the box and float a ball into the middle. Though Torres still had plenty to do, Liverpool's top scorer climbed to power a header past Green into the bottom corner with 15 minutes remaining.
West Ham were not prepared to lie down and Hines forced a finger tip save from Reina. But for a late flurry however, the Hammers were unable to get into Liverpool's half and the visitor's held out to claim all three points.
Teams
West Ham: Robert Green, Julien Faubert James Tomkins, Matthew Upson (Danny Gabbidon 25), Herita Nkongolo Ilunga, Valon Behrami, (Radoslav Kovac 30), Scott Parker, Mark Noble, Zavon Hines, Carlton Cole, Alessandro Diamanti
Liverpool: Jose Reina, Glen Johnson, Jamie Carragher, Martin Skertl, Emiliano Insua, Javier Mascherano, Lucas Leiva, Yossi Benayoun (Fabio Aurelio 84), Dirk Kuyt Ryan Babel (61), Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres
Goals: Torres (20),(74), Diamanti (29), Kuyt (41), Cole (45)
Yellow Cards: Carragher (28), Parker (30), Faubert (35), Skertl (43), Mascherano (49), Cole (92)
Referee: Andrew Marriner
Attendance: 34658
