Torres earns monthly prize

Liverpool's in-form striker Fernando Torres has won the Premier League Player of the Month award for February. Two consecutive hat tricks have helped him to earn the monthly award.

Reds manager Rafa Benitez told the club's official website: "The award is well deserved, because Fernando has been doing such a good job for the team.

"He is scoring goals, playing well and working hard and I am delighted his contribution to the side has been recognised in this way.

"He is a good player, a good goalscorer and a good person as well. It's fantastic for us all to see him doing so well."

In total he has scored 24 goals in 33 appearances for Liverpool since his big-money move from Atletico Madrid last summer.