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| Coutinho celebrates... Image: clickliverpool.com |
Brendan put out a very strong XI for this fixture and new signing Coutinho also got his first start. Laudrup though made 7 changes to his Swansea side perhaps with one eye on Wembley. Sturridge was back up front for Liverpool who missed him dearly in the Europa League.
Liverpool began the first half at Anfield in a confident fashion, shots from the likes of Coutinho, Suarez and Sturridge didn't take long to appear at all but the home crowd would have to wait until just after the half hour mark to see their first goal of the game.
At 33 minutes Luis Suarez was taken down in the box by Agustein, the Uruguayan had been challenged earlier in the box too but appeals were waved. Nevertheless Liverpool now had a great chance to take the lead. Up stepped Steven Gerrard who must have been feeling a little more nervous than usual after seeing his last penalty saved, the captain however didn't make the same mistake this time and he ensured the Reds went 1-0 up.
I don't mean to find the only bad point in a simply superb game but I can't be the only one feeling that the penalty helped us a hell of a lot more than most people would think looking at the final score. What I mean by that is before the spot kick Liverpool were once again creating chance after chance but nothing was going in, the penalty gave us the scoreline we deserved and hence aided our confidence, providing a boost to go on and score more in my opinion.
Half time was reached with no further goals and I would imagine Swansea were feeling relieved to have reached this stage without further damage. It may have been a weakened side that Laudrup named but they still didn't put in a very competitive performance, Sturridge particularly was running rings around their defence far too easily.
The second half couldn't have started better for the Reds as Coutinho got his first Liverpool goal in the first minute. A powerful shot from inside the area was enough to get past Vorm and Liverpool were now 2-0 up.
4 minutes later and Liverpool were at it again and what a goal this one was, the build up was awesome! After a back heel to Sturridge, Jose Enrique continued his run into the box and completing a lovely one two Sturridge then returned the ball to Enrique who smashed home Liverpool's third.
This was just brilliant to watch, Liverpool were effectively taking the piss out of Swansea it's just annoying that we can't consistently play like this. 3 goals and no sign of Swansea getting a return would have done just nicely but the Reds weren't done just yet.
Another goal just before the hour mark fell for Luis Suarez who once again deserved to find the back of the net after all his effort. With an assist from Stewart Downing, Suarez completed a typical strike and left the Swansea keeper with no chance. Suarez looks immensely comfortable when Sturridge is playing with him, he has less work to do and he knows Sturridge will provide him with the assistance he needs.
4-0 though still wasn't enough for Brendan's side and it was another penalty after a hand ball in the box that would provide Liverpool with their final goal of the game. After a brilliant performance Daniel Sturridge was rightly given the penalty, converting with ease the forward had found the Reds a fifth goal of the game.
Unfortunately for Liverpool the game ended on a rather sour note as Fabio Borini had to leave the field with a dislocated shoulder, I hope he makes a fast recovery.
Liverpool had a remarkable 33 shots and 18 of them were on target, if Liverpool could learn to consistently convert their chances then they would be in a far better position. Nevertheless it was a fantastic performance from the Reds and to see 5 goals from 5 different scorers is always very refreshing!
Next up for Liverpool is Zenit.