Liverpool thump four past Fulham

Liverpool returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion against Fulham at Anfield yesterday, smashing four goals past the hapless Londoners, who failed to produce anything in response. Martin Skrtel opened the scoring spectacularly, Steven Gerrard- back to his best- doubled the hosts' lead, the ever improving Stewart Downing put the outcome of the contest beyond doubt soon after the interval and Luis Suarez ended his mini goal drought with his first December goal in injury time.

Following last weekend's embarrassing home defeat to lowly Aston Villa, a win and positive performance against Fulham were imperatives in front of a long-suffering Anfield crowd, who had only witnessed three League victories this season prior to kick-off. As promised, Joe Allen and Raheem Sterling were rested, as Shelvey, Lucas and Gerrard occupied the centre of the pitch while Suso and Downing supported lone striker Luis Suarez.

After beginning the better of the two teams, Liverpool were rewarded eight minutes in with a fantastic strike from Martin Skrtel, who thumped home from inside the penalty area after a corner landed favourably for him.

Skrtel slides in celebration of opening the scoring

The Slovakian's fellow centre back lacked his goalscoring prowess, as a stunned Anfield found out when Agger unbelievably fired over the bar from literally yards out following good build up play from Gerrard and Suarez. At that point, particularly after Reina anxiously dealt with Richardson's shot, nervy Kopites thought it might be one of those days where the Reds fail to add to their early lead and get punished as a result.

Thankfully, the superb Steven Gerrard, who was delightfully pinging passes across the pitch from his deeper role, calmed some of those nerves ten minutes before the break when he broke forward to latch onto Downing's clever pass and impressively found the bottom corner with his shot. 

Captain fantastic enjoys netting the Reds' second of the evening

Revelling in his preferred right wing role, rather than being stuck at left back, Downing continued to impress, putting the match to bed as a contest six minutes after the restart. The England international, who recently revealed Rodgers has allowed him to leave if he wants, surged into the box from the right hand side and fired past Schwarzer with panache.

From that point on, it was really all about seeing how many goals Liverpool could score to boost their goal difference and propel them as far up the table as possible. In pursuit of that aim, Johnson and Downing shot wide, while Gerrard forced Schwarzer to make a good save before Suarez somehow managed to bundle his way through Fulham's defence but was eventually foiled by the out-rushing goalkeeper.

Nonetheless, after Reina prevented Hugo Rodallega's free kick clinching an undeserved consolation for the woeful visitors, Suarez scored the fourth of the evening and his eleventh of the season, converting Enrique's cut back from close range.

Cherry on top of the cake- Suarez adds a fourth in injury time

Suarez's strike was the proverbial cherry on top of the cake that was Liverpool's performance yesterday. Ironically, though, one of the most pleasing aspects of the Reds' victory over Fulham was that so many other players found the back of the net, hopefully reducing our reliance on the skillful Uruguayan in the future. A clean sheet was also crucial as, with Reina not at his best, defensive confidence must be earned and maintained.

Up to eighth and only five points off fourth, things seem to be looking up once again for Liverpool. A productive Christmas period is crucial to kick starting our season and heading into the New Year with more momentum and points on the board.

YNWA