Liverpool returned to winning ways at Anfield with a five-goal win against Wembley-bound Swansea. Goals from Gerrard, Coutinho, Enrique, Suarez and Sturridge ensured Brendan Rodgers’ men enter Thursday’s Europa league tie against Zenit full of confidence.
Liverpool entered the game making three changes from their visit to Russia, with Daniel Agger, Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge handed starts. Swansea were looking ahead to their cup final next weekend, fielding a far from full-strength lineup – and it showed. A dominant first half performance was rewarded with a goal from Steven Gerrard. The captain slotted home from the penalty spot 11 minutes before half time following efforts from Daniel Sturridge, Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho. Gerrard missed a penalty in the last home game against West Brom, but there was no chance of a repeat here with the captain drilling a low shot into the right corner of Michel Vorm’s net. Liverpool went into half time with a one goal lead, although it should have been three or four more.
Brendan Rodgers will have undoubtedly told his team at halftime that they need to start taking their chances or face another embarrassing slip up, a sight that has been seen too often this season. The message was heard. Philippe Coutinho, on his full debut, was picked out by Suarez only seconds into the second half and showed some individual brilliance to put Liverpool up, 2-0. Coutinho was visibly enjoying his first start in a red shirt, full of confidence; he almost doubled his tally moment later with an outrageous back heel attempt from another Luis Suarez pass. Liverpool was showcasing some football that the Brazilian and Spanish national teams would be proud of, evidenced by their third goal of the day. Some quick and neat passes were interchanged between Suarez, Coutinho and Sturridge on the left-wing, working the ball into the box before Sturridge passes across the box, to the onrushing Enrique who poked the ball in, capping off an exquisite passage of play. It was all Liverpool for the rest of the match. Suarez was in fine form, putting in a master class performance and added goal number 23 to his tally this season, swerving between two Swansea defenders to slot into the bottom corner with his left foot, from the top of the box. Coutinho was then brought off around the hour mark to a well deserved reception from the Anfield crowd. Many would have liked to see him continue in the game after showing flair and confidence in abundance but his substitution did not stop the onslaught from the home side. Liverpool continued to boss possession, controlling the game in the way Rodgers preaches about, giving his old team a lesson in passing. The fifth goal was scored from the spot by Daniel Sturridge, a side footed drive to Vorm’s right after being handed the ball by Steven Gerrard. It was a goal well deserved for Sturridge. The only blip in Liverpool’s performance was an injury to Fabio Borini towards full-time, forcing Liverpool to play out the remaining nine minutes with ten men.
It was a well deserved victory for Liverpool, with 35 shots registered in the game a dominant performance could have ended with many more than five goals scored. A well-rounded showing from the home side provided another glimpse into what Brendan Rodgers Is trying to implement at LFC, but against a much weakened side it has to be said. Nothing more than a convincing win today would have been acceptable and a convincing win is what the fans got.
Player ratings:
Pepe Reina: 7/10
Glen Johnson: 8/10
Jamie Carragher: 7/10
Daniel Agger: 7/10
Jose Enrique: 8/10
Steven Gerrard: 8/10
Lucas Leiva: 7/10
Phillipe Coutinho: 8/10
Stewart Downing: 6/10
Luis Suarez: 9/10 Man of The Match
Daniel Sturrdige: 9/10
Subs
Jordan Henderson: 7/10
Joe Allen: 6/10
Fabio Borini: n/a
Swansea
Michel Vorm: 6/10
Kyle Bartley: 4/10
Garry Monk: 5/10
Ben Davies: 4/10
Dwight Tiendalli: 5/10
Roland Lamah: 5/10
Leon Britton: 5/10
Pablo Hernandez: 6/10
Jonathon De Guzman: 6/10
Kemy Agustien: 5/10
Itay Shecter: 4/10
Subs
Wayne Routeledge: 4/10
Angel Rangel: 5/10
