Two goals from Fernando Torres helped Liverpool to a comfortable 4-0 win over a disappointing Blackburn Rovers side on the first premier league game of the weekend.
After Wednesday’s shocking 3-1 defeat to Chelsea, Liverpool had the chance to banish the memories of a below par performance as they looked to go two points clear at the top of the Premiership. With Manchester United playing later that afternoon, it was a chance Rafael Benitez’s men couldn’t afford to miss- even if they had to do it without their inspirational captain. An injured Steven Gerrard was to be an unused and unneeded substitute in the mauling that was to follow.
Before the match began Anfield paid tribute to the 96 Liverpool fans who lost their lives at Hillsborough with a rousing rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone which was followed by an impeccably observed minutes silence. This week will mark the 20th anniversary of the disaster and Blackburn paid their respects as Stephen Warnock laid a floral tribute right in front of the Kop.
Whilst this was a fitting tribute, Blackburn began the game by showing Liverpool a little too much respect on the pitch as the Reds were allowed to start brightly. After forcing a corner after just 3 minutes Fernando Torres opened up the scoring 2 minutes later with a goal of the season contender. An immaculate ball over the defense from Jamie Carragher was controlled effortlessly by the Spanish starlet before he span to hit the ball on the half volley into the top corner of Paul Robinson’s net. It was a ferocious effort from an extremely difficult angle and one which any football fan will instantly admire on Match of the Day tonight.
It really should have been 2-0 on 15 minutes as Dirk Kuyt sent Mascherano through on goal with seemingly only the keeper to beat, but his indecision meant that the Blackburn defenders came swarming back and his shot was rushed. Consequently it was saved by the keeper before Torres blazed the ball over. It was a chance that looked much simpler than his goal and El Nino might look back on it as the miss that would eventually deny him a hatrick.
After 24 minutes Xabi Alonso’s ball to the back post was met by Daniel Agger who was gifted a free header but he could only direct it tamely into the hands of Robinson.
Dirk Kuyt was the next to spurn a chance 2 minutes later as he was the next man in red to head the ball straight at the goalkeeper and Yossi Benayoun couldn’t make the most of Paul Robinson’s proceeding spill.
As usual, whenever Liverpool have conceded from set pieces this season the side have been unfairly criticized from certain sections of the media for Rafa’s zonal marking policy. It seems unlikely that Blackburn’s man marking system will be given the same treatment even after some shocking defending led to Torres’s second. The ever hungry striker was allowed to wander into the penalty area seemingly unescorted to rise and head the ball expertly after another perfect cross from the impressive Alonso. Maybe that criticism was still ringing in Rafa’s ears as he produced a rare smile following the goal.
Perhaps it is just this reporter’s imagination but Liverpool’s style of play reminds me more and more of the technically brilliant Spanish team that strolled to the European Championships in the summer. They seem to play the ball so effortlessly and slowly at times with the pace quickening only when the Reds sniff a chance. They then sync gently back into their patient build up- waiting for the right time to strike once more. The second half was to give the emotional fans further examples of this as Liverpool came out determined to control the remainder of the match.
The fantastic Emanuel Insua at just 19 years of age was striding down the left wing looking as if he’d played on the Anfield pitch for years and it was he who set up Kuyt for the first chance of the second half but his effort was deflected wide.
Albert Riera was linking up well with the young left back as he jinxed through Blackburns defense eventually shooting wide of the post. Fernando Torres was substituted on 74 minutes as Rafa decided that the game was effectively over. And you could see why- the Liverpool defenders barely broke a sweat even in the beautiful Mersey sunshine.
But the blackburn fans did have a glimmer of hope in the 76th minute as the ball fell to Christopher Samba in a glorious position at the back post but Pepe Reina was never going to be troubled by his weak effort. The young keeper was heading for another clean sheet on his 200th appearance for the club.
Despite undoubtedly stepping down a gear since the break the Liverpool team looked determined to get a third in front of a Kop that demanded more goals. They came close when Mascherano drove a shot through several defenders which eventually ended up going just wide of Paul Robinson’s goal.
But it wasn’t long before Agger added a goal to an impressive performance in his return to the side. After 83 minutes he launched the ball into the top corner of the goal from all of 35 yards out as the Blackburn defense was once more guilty of giving the Reds too much time on the ball.
And the rout wasn’t over yet- Jamie Carragher’s high ball to the back post was headed across goal by Lucas for fellow substitute Ngog to glance the ball home for Liverpool’s fourth.
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