I believe I wrote some pretty similar words a couple of weeks ago when Liverpool smashed 4 past Derby rivals Everton, but who saw that coming?
In Live4Liverpool’s match preview, we looked at how Arsenal’s ‘spine’ was missing through either injury or suspension and how the absence of Ramsey, Flamini and Vermaelen could help the Reds take all 3 points in an encounter that could define either (or both) side’s seasons.
Liverpool, without the likes of Lucas, Agger, Sakho, Johnson and Enrique were also drastically under-strength but after 53 seconds you wouldn’t have known, as Martin Skrtel struck home Steven Gerrard’s free-kick.
As during the Derby, shooting out of the traps so fast proved to be the making of Liverpool’s game-plan, as the early lead proved to give the home side the impetus they needed to pen the Gunners back in their own half for much of the game’s opening and things didn’t get any better for Arsenal.
With barely 10 minutes on the clock, Martin Skrtel set himself up for a potential hat-trick as he headed home his second of the game and gave Liverpool a much deserved 2-nil lead with his fourth goal of the season.
7 minutes later and a shell-shocked Arsenal found themselves 3 down, as Raheem Sterling slotted home his first of the game and Arsenal’s players stood, dumfounded, looking to somebody to take charge and pull them out of the increasingly deepening hole they were finding themselves in.
In amongst the mayhem, Liverpool missed the chance for another couple of goals, as Luis Suarez struck a goal-of-the-season contender that unfortunately hit the post. The goal would’ve been typical of Suarez but for the woodwork saving the Gunners further embarrassment.
But Arsene Wenger’s men wouldn’t have long to wait to know that feeling as Philippe Coutinho’s pass-of-the-season contender allowed Daniel Sturridge to strike home Liverpool’s fourth of the game and 15th of the season, taking him level with Sergio Aguero and 2nd only to Luis Suarez – not a bad return for a player that only returned from a long-term injury a few weeks ago!
Once the second half commenced, Arsenal at least started more convincingly, looking more solid and composed but that lasted barely 7 minutes, as Sterling raced on to another through-ball and, on the second attempt, slipped a side-footed effort past the hapless Szczesny.
Arsene Wenger stood on the side-lines looking bemused, while his players continued to look amongst their numbers for a leader or talisman to pull them out of the debacle they found themselves in.
Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers was able to start with-drawing some of his leaders, with one eye on the Fulham game on Wednesday as Sturridge, Gerrard and late on Suarez were all given a well-deserved rest after putting Arsenal down like an unloved dog.
The only low point was the consolation of a penalty that Liverpool gifted to Arsenal mid-way through the second half but by that point Arsenal were well and truly beaten, and had themselves already started to withdraw key players with the game against Manchester United upcoming on Wednesday.
The fallout of the Arsenal demolition, of course, is that everybody will now be looking at Liverpool again as potential title winners but Brendan Rodgers will be wise to down-play any talk of finishing any higher than 4th.
As Jose Mourinho likes to do with his own Chelsea side (despite now being top), the Liverpool manager must ensure that all talk of the title is once more put to one side and all concentration is on Fulham on Wednesday evening.
Can everyone please now stop going on about not getting konoplyanka. Clearly we don’t need him. We have enough with what we have right now. That first 20 minutes yesterday was fantastic
stevie, your comment is plain stupid. We can win the title now if we have signed HM, Salah and kono.
Stevie ur mad,why ? cos of all Chelsea squad they still added Salah and Matic.Mancity and Arsenal that didn’t sign anyone look at them.We needed Konopylanka or Fernando 4 squad depth and experience,Can’t we rest Sterling.Anyone who thinks we don’t need them is completely biased.With them it could easily have been six or seven yesterday.
This team is clearly growing together. Throwing someone in who is completely new like konoplyanka would not be wise. Our forward line is fantastic and I wouldn’t change it. It’s a well oiled machine which doesn’t need any fixing. We are playing one game a week most weeks. We are more than capable of keeping up at the top even with our supposedly thin squad. As for salah…….how many games will he get?. Was he bought just to annoy us? Probably!
I agree what you mean Stevie…
I agree Stevie although the competition would benefit the team. Training against/with better players will always improve the individual, benefiting the team.
It’s also good to have insurance for if Sterling were to get injured, Moses was supposed to be competition/insurance but he just doesn’t seem interested.
However I’m satisfied with the way things are, only a few games left, FA Cup depending, so everything should be ok.
BR certainly is proving to be quite shrewd, Gerrad having an excellent spell, so desperate for him to win PL medal before retiring, one of a few players to absolutely deserve it.
We smashed Arsenal but are still 4 points adrift, therefore it is illogical to say we don’t need to add to this squad.
Look at stupid tackle by Gerrard that caused a penalty kick. Please drop Gerrard in next match. Also, Arsenal just underestimate LFC due to favourable past records.
BR is simple fantastic in his second session in charge. If FSG have backed him just like KK, the title already is ours !!!
BR has really impressd me. Not just the results but in his long term plans for the team. First turning Gerrard to CDM. Knwing he will probably retire soon, and the front youth will have to gel. Now we don’t need a DM anymore. Gerrard makes the defence look very solid.
Of course we need to add to the squad.. That said, we’ve thrashed spurs, Everton and arse, beat mu and should have taken a point at least from city. We r on the right track.
Still, we r a couple of slip ups away from being outside the top 4. More players r needed
Trying to accomodate a new player is difficult especially as the team is playing so well. I know sterling could be injured. But you’re not telling me konoplyanka could do better than him in a completely new environment and new country. Does he speak english? Sign him at the end of the season if need be. I personally think jordan ibe is a genius waiting to happen so I’m not convinced we need konoplyanka. Midfield yes. Out wide no