With Steven Gerrard out due to a slight back problem, Jamie Carragher captained the side, while Andy Carroll partnered Luis Suarez up front and Jonjo Shelvey was given a rare starting place in the centre of midfield alongside Henderson. Chelsea, meanwhile, made eight changes to the team that triumphed at Wembley, as Fernando Torres returned to his old hunting ground.
As a result, Di Matteo's men struggled in the opening stages while Liverpool continued from where they left of on Saturday, dominating the play and creating numerous chances which, this time, were thankfully converted. After Suarez had nutmegged Terry and fired just wide and Carroll had curled over the bar, Ivanovic's header hit the post.
But apart from that the Blues rarely tested Reina, and it was the Reds who unquestionably exploited their ascendancy, bagging a hatful of goals. On 18 minutes, Suarez produced a piece of magic to beat three players before the backtracking Essien deflected his effort into his own net.
Soon after, Henderson took advantage of a slip from Terry at a critical moment and burst through on goal, calmly slotting the ball past stand-in stopper Ross Turnbull when many, considering his goalscoring record, doubted he would convert the chance.
The thrilling onslaught wasn't over, though, as Agger headed into the net just before the half hour mark after Andy Carroll had excellent nodded a corner into the Dane's path.
It was scintillating stuff from a Reds' side determined to atone for Saturday's errors and compensate their loyal supporters with a goal fest. Former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres fired against the underside of Reina's bar in response, before, unsurprisingly, the home side were also denied by the woodwork, as Downing's brilliant volley rattled the crossbar.The 27-year old England international then proceeded to hit the post from a penalty on the stroke of half time, which was awarded after Ivanovic inexplicably elbowed Carroll in the chest. It was outstandingly Liverpool's fifth penalty miss of the season, which is a Premier League record.
Considering our reputation of Germany-like efficiency from the spot, the fact that only one of our spot kicks in the League has been converted this season is remarkable. It's extraordinary; therefore, that Liverpool managed to clinch their only trophy of the season, the Carling Cup, on penalties!
Whatever Roberto Di Matteo said to his side at the break must have worked, as the Blues reduced the arrears five minutes after the break when Malouda curled a free kick through a crowd of bodies and Ramires scuffed the ball over the line. Undeterred, Liverpool remained on top and the flow of the game was still in their favour.
Any fears of an Istanbul-esque comeback from Champions League finalists Chelsea were quashed by a superb strike from Shelvey on the hour mark. Turnbull's attempted clearance landed straight at the feet of the former Charlton midfielder, who showed great composure to steer the ball into the unguarded Kop end net.
It was an awesome goal from the ever-improving Shelvey who, in some ways at least, seems a brighter prospect than Spearing, whose disappointing display in the Cup final cost him a place in the team last night. The number 33 certainly possesses a much more potent attacking threat and poses a danger in the final third of the pitch to defences, whereas Spearing's role tends to be limited to protecting the back four.With Anfield rocking at this point, Liverpool piled on the pressure in pursuit of a fifth goal. Carroll, whose cameo display in the Cup final was impressive, went close twice, slicing a shot wide and then landing a lob on the top of Turnbull's net. Dalglish then made two substitutions, replacing Maxi and Downing with Kuyt and Sterling respectively.
With virtually his first touch of the ball, exciting young prospect Raheem Sterling volleyed just over the bar. Moreover, Suarez lashed into the side netting from close range and Agger glanced just wide from Carroll's fantastic right wing cross. At the other end, Chelsea's only real goalscoring opportunity saw Reina make an excellent instinctive save to stop a towering Lukaku header from a yard out. It proved that, despite his generally poor form this season, Reina remains a class keeper.
After such a comprehensive victory, many Liverpool supporters are lamenting the fact that their team didn't perform as well in the FA Cup final. Although I can understand their frustration, delivering such an emphatic response against the same opponents only days after defeat is a very positive sign. The performance of individuals, such as Carroll, Suarez and Shelvey were also pleasing and promising.
Liverpool must now look to take this form into the final game of the season at Swansea on Sunday and, much more importantly, into the start of next season.
YNWA
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