Liverpool put forth a more-than-convincing performance in a rout of Stoke City (who twice held us to 0-0 draws last season) that definitely answers some questions that critics had of us. We were simply awesome from the minute we kicked off, clearly pissed off from the 1-2 defeat at Tottenham. You’ll notice I didn’t post anything about the Tottenham match. That’s because I didn’t want to have a knee-jerk reaction to it, as it was truly heartbreaking, awful to watch, and sub-par in every sense of the term. If the Spurs defeat (where we scored from the penalty spot thanks to Gerrard, and more importantly Glen Johnson’s rampaging run) was sub-par, than the Stoke match was almost like a mulligan. It was the perfect fixture for us, as we needed to face a side where we could unleash our fury, and that we’d have additional feelings of wrath against. Many say our 0-0 draws with them last season were the reason we didn’t get the title. I feel like that’s a bit harsh on Stoke, who were quite good last season, but I understand the argument. Regardless, it was definitely motivation, and our players stepped up to it.
The match wasn’t on the tele, so naturally I found a live stream that was cutting in and out on the ol’ internet, and I was left highly entertained. All the while, the Burnley win over Manchester United was going on, so I was doubly pleased! Anyhow, we got off to a rip-roaring start, with a classic goal from Torres setting us on our way after only 4 minutes. Steven Gerrard did well to find space down the right, where we were incredible all night (Johnson is a BEAST), and slipped a ball back to the path of Torres at the penalty spot, who side-footed through the defender and into the net with Sorensen completely helpless. That was the start we needed, as we were able to relax and play our brand of football. With Skrtel out injured, and Babel ineffective, Ayala and Benayoun were given outings, and both did quite well with their opportunity. Ayala, who is only 18, didn’t look at all out of place out there, and impressed on his debut. Benayoun, meanwhile, was a creative spark in a side that lacked it against Spurs on Sunday, and was a constant menace down the left. But it was Glen Johnson who was the most effective player on the day, and he opened up his account right before half-time with an acrobatic scissor kick from 3 yards out after Kuyt’s shot was deflected. As much as I liked Arbeloa, could you see him doing this? I didn’t think so!!!
At 2-0, the second half played out much like the first, with Liverpool completely dictating the play, yet Stoke City getting some pretty good opportunities in front of the Anfield Road End on, you guessed it, throw-ins and set-pieces. The pick of the chances fell to Rory Delap, who was incredibly denied by the diving Reina, who pulled off what might already be our save of the season. Delap looked stunned, and about 20 minutes later, would have his head down in depression as Liverpool extended their lead to 3-0. Steven Gerrard, who was criticized for his lack of impact on Sunday, was once again the provider as he brilliantly turned the defender after being sent through by the near-perfect Johnson, and then slipped a ball (for the second time) to the center of goal where Kuyt could hardly miss with a sliding tap-in. 15 minutes later, with the last kick (or head) of the game, David Ngog made it 4-0 thanks to a Johnson cross that nearly went in, but was tapped onto the bar by Sorensen. The ball fell gently off of the bar to Ngog, who simply had to rise and head into the empty net from a mere yard from the goal… yet he almost conceived a way to miss, heading it off of the bar and in. His sheepish celebration said it all, but it surely meant a lot for him to get off the mark this quickly.
So… four goals, a clean sheet despite injuries to Fabio Aurelio, Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel, a first goal from Torres and Kuyt this season, Glen Johnson’s first ever goal (a lot quicker than Keane, that’s for sure!), and a loss to Manchester United to newly promoted Burnley…. quite the day, I’d say!
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