On a night in which it was expected Everton would end their wait for a victory at Anfield in over a decade they succumbed to Liverpool not once, but four times. Liverpool’s 4-0 victory over their rivals leaves them in 4th place and 4 points clear of Everton.
Going into the game the talk was of two injury stricken sides who despite both having fine seasons, were currently in somewhat of a lull. What conspired in the following 90 minutes showed signs of one side coming out of the lull, and one falling deeper into one.
Liverpool’s four goals should not be a surprise to the fans, nor the manager. This is a side who have put five passed Spurs away from home earlier in the season. What was surprising for the fans though, was how Liverpool’s much-maligned two-man midfield more than held their own against Everton’s midfield triumvirate of Barry, McCarthy and Barkley.
Gerrard was simply impeccable, opening the scoring with a bullet header, assisted from a Luis Suarez corner. One wonders if Gerrard would have scored more headers in his career had he been in the box for corners and not taking them.
Interestingly the Brazilian playmaker Coutinho was perhaps the standout player of the match, in some respects. Despite suffering indifferent form this season it was he who hassled and pressed Barry and McCarthy time and time again. His assists for Sturridge were reminiscent of the type of slide-rule passes he played so often last season which saw him quickly become a fan favourite.
Suarez as ever, showed world class quality throughout. His second half goal ending any hopes of an unlikely Everton come back. Should Liverpool want to see his face around Liverpool any longer, performances like this will certainly help, should Liverpool make the Champions League next season.
The return of Jon Flanagan to the side helped Liverpool immensely. How assured he is for a young full-back who only a few months ago would have been wondering where he’d be playing in 12 months time – it seems his future is at Anfield, and rightfully so.
Throughout the side Liverpool not only oozed class, but deadly efficiency (bar the missed penalty, of course) and a level of camaraderie within the squad which shouldn’t be undervalued. For Liverpool to make a return to the glitz and glamour of European elite competition more performance like that we seen last night will certainly help Brendan Rodgers and his players.
