Hat Trick Hero: Yossi Benayoun

The Israeli midfielder inspired Liverpool to a 4-0 thrashing of Premiership new boys Burnley as the Reds title challenge got back on track in impressive fashion. In addition to his three well taken finishes, a Benayoun stinger, parried by Clarets keeper Brian Jensen, led to Liverpool’s other goal, as Dirk Kuyt pounced on the loose ball to slot home.

1^st goal (27): Latching on to an angled Glen Johnson through ball, Benayoun cut effortlessly inside veteran Burnley defender Graham Alexander and placed a shot across keeper Brian Jensen for the game’s opener. Rating: 8

2^nd goal (61): A penetrating Steven Gerrard run into the Burnley box culminated with the England midfielder squaring the ball across goal for the simplest of Benayoun tap-ins. Rating: 7

3^rd goal (82): Finding himself unmarked just outside the  six-yard box, Benayoun received a defence-splitting pass from Andrei Voronin, turned neatly and dispatched into an open net. Rating: 7

Hat trick aggregate: 7.33

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The other Hat Trick Heroes:

Jermain Defoe