Liverpool overpowered West Ham on Monday night to secure a comfortable 3-0 victory over the London side. First half goals from Yossi Benayoun, who was facing his former employers, and David Ngog, who was starting in place of the injured Fernando Torres, set Liverpool on their way before a Robert Green own goal sealed the victory with half an hour still to play.
It was by no means an exceptional performance from Liverpool, however the comfortable margin of victory will be a massive confidence booster ahead of the Europa League semi-final away to Atheltico Madrid on Thursday.
Rafa switched to a 4-4-2 formation to accomdate for the loss of Fernando Torres to injury, as both Dirk Kuyt and David Ngog started up front. Ngog put in an impressive display, worked hard and scored the vital second goal which set Liverpool on their way to a comfortable win.
The early exchanges were dull, with neither side taking charge of the encounter. The atmosphere didn't help either as Anfield was flat, largely due to the fact that many Irish fans were unable to attend as all airports were closed, whilst many supporters had already set out on the long road trip to Madrid, causing there to be around 7000 empty seats, which is highly unusual for a match at Anfield.
The first opening fell to Maxi Rodriguez after neat work in the centre of the park from Yossi Benayoun led to him receiving an inviting pass. The Spaniard's fierce strike forced Robert Green to make a crucial stop at the near post.
Surprisingly West Ham started the match slowly, and looked unwilling to attack the Reds goal. Given their precarious position you would expect the Hammers to be desperate to perform well and pick up vital points wherever possible however it seemed as if they had one eye on the 6 pointer coming up next at home to Wigan Athletic.
It was a game that needed a goal to set it alight, and one finally arrived after 18 minutes. Steven Gerrard quickly took a fantastic free kick that picked out Yossi Benayoun, who was unmarked in the area. The Israeli captain sent the ball into the back of the net off his chest to give Liverpool a vital, if unorthodox, opener.
On 20 minutes Carlton Cole forced Reina into a wonderful stop. A long ball was played up to the English striker, and he controlled the ball magnificently on his chest before turning Jamie Carragher. Cole fired in a fierce strike from the left hand edge of the 18 yard box however Reina was equal to it and made a tremendous stop to keep the Reds in the lead.
After this, Kyrgiakos missed a glorious opportunity to double our lead. Gerrard whipped in an excellent corner from the left hand side, and it found Kyrgiakos in space in the 6 yard box. Unbelieveably, the Greek headed into the ground and the ball bounced over the cross bar. It was a horrible miss. You cannot help thinking that Hyypia would have buried that chance with his eyes closed.
2 minutes after Kyrgiakos should have doubled our lead David Ngog found the net with a clinical finish from 8 yards out. Benayoun, who was at the centre of most of Liverpool's attacking play, cut into the centre of the pitch from the left hand side, before passing to Maxi on the right. Maxi sent the ball across the penalty box and found David Ngog. The young French striker scored with a wonderful first time finish.
It was a goal that you'd expect from Fernando Torres, not David Ngog, which demonstrates the quality that Ngog possesses. I have always said that Ngog is a good striker with bags of potential, and this season can only be good for his development as he has been thrust into the limelight in the absence of Torres.
Hopefully Rafa will be given the money to sign a top quality back up striker who is willing to spend time on the bench when Torres is fit and firing, however if he doesn't receive the neccesary funding, which is quite likely unless a deal to sell the club is made quickly, then Ngog will have the experience to perform at a higher level when he stands in for the Spaniard.
Just past the half hour Cole shot wide of goal from the edge of the box before Dirk Kuyt went close with a similar effort from slightly further out, however Robert Green managed to turn the ball behind for a corner.
Liverpool went into the break with a comfortable lead however they would have been determined to score a third goal and kill the game off completely because if the Hammers could get an early goal in the second half then they would be right back in the contest.
Thankfully, the Reds managed to grab a third goal on the hour mark to put the result beyond doubt. Gerrard's superb free kick from the left curled towards the back post, where Kyrgiakos got a slight touch on the ball. The ball rebounded back off the post before ricocheting off Robert Green and into the net. It was unfortunate for the away team's goalkeeper however it was no more than they deserved as Zola's men put in a peformance that should leave their supporters worried.
The rest of the second half was largely uninteresting as both sides knew that the game was over. Liverpool could have scored many more goals, however they took their foot of the pedal in anticipation of the midweek clash in Madrid.
Pepe Reina has been on top form this season, and, as a result, he is currently the division's best keeper as he has the most clean sheets. He is aiming to win yet another golden glove award so was desperate to claim another shut-out. He demonstrated this desire midway through the second half when he raced out of his goal, made himself big and denied Carlton Cole after he had been played through on goal.
Gerrard had the last chance of the match with 12 minutes to go as his poor corner at the Kop end rebounded back out to our skipper. Thinking quickly he fired in an effort that was heading for the near post, however Green got down quickly to keep his strike out. It was a brilliant attempt by Gerrard, who was later substituted so he could rest ahead of the Europa League semi-final against Athletico Madrid on Thursday.
It wasn't one of Liverpool's best display this season, however this run continues Liverpool's exceptional home form and provides an essential confidence boost going into that massive Europa League game tommorow.
With Torres out injured it will be difficult for the Reds to score, however I expect us to keep it tight and grab a crucial away goal on the break, so i'm predicting a 1-1 draw that would leave Liverpool in the driving seat going into the return leg at Anfield a week later.
YNWA
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