Brendan Rodgers distanced his side from being stallions after Jose Mourinho's crazy horse talk this week but the Reds must feel as though they pose a serious threat now in the race after demolishing Arsenal on Saturday at Anfield. Liverpool found the back of the net on five occasions via Martin Skrtel, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge. Arsenal could only find a consolation via a penalty in the second half.
Liverpool began the game in the best possible fashion when less than one minute into the game Mertesacker gave away a free kick after a challenge on Luis Suarez. Steven Gerrard stepped up to take the set piece and his ball found its way to Martin Skrtel who poked home the goal and proceeded to go absolutely mental. I too went absolutely mental, firstly because we'd netted against Arsenal within a minute but also because I'd popped a quid on Martin Skrtel anytime a few minutes before kick off haha! Bonus.
Despite the fact everybody was elated it was obviously too soon to start thinking we could win this. Arsenal were top of the league and there's no way they wouldn't find a goal? Surely there would be an immense comeback...
As the minutes ticked by though it didn't appear as though Arsenal were prepared to create any sort of threat let alone a comeback. Liverpool looked dangerous every single time they pushed forward and just before the 10 minute mark Liverpool had scored again!
Steven Gerrard once again set up the goal this time from a corner and Martin Skrtel converted with an absolutely cracking header. I knew Liverpool were capable of giving Arsenal a game but this was quickly beginning to look embarrassing for the visiting side and I still couldn't comprehend that they weren't even causing problems. Even with the two goal cushion, at this stage there was still worry for an Arsenal onslaught.
A few minutes later though and Liverpool were at it again firstly after Sturridge sent his effort wide after being assisted by Suarez then the Uruguayan sent everybody's hearts racing after receiving the ball from another Gerrard corner, having a pop from 20 yards and watching his stinging effort smash back out off the left hand upright.
I just couldn't believe my eyes. This was an exquisite performance from Liverpool but we were only a quarter of a way into the game and as a Liverpool fan, we all know what they can be like. The Reds needed to continue this brilliant play, treat it as a 0-0 and continue to smash Arsenal.
And that's just what they did.
At 16 minutes star man Ozil was dispossessed by Jordan Henderson who then played the ball to Suarez. A lovely cross from him set up Raheem Sterling for an easy tap in past Szczesny. The Reds were 3-0 with 75 minutes left of the game!
I was in my element watching this as I'm sure many of you were, it was hilarious how brilliant we were playing and how terrible Arsenal were and I quickly found myself back in that magical yet dangerous zone of "We could win the pissin' league!" then reality set in and I began to calm down, that was until we'd scored yet again!
Just before the 20 minute mark a dream pass from Philippe Coutinho found its way to an encroaching Daniel Sturridge. The forward was frustrated with his effort that went wide earlier in the game but this time his finish was perfect, Liverpool were 4-0 up and that famous dance came out. And yes, I too was doing the dance as always haha.
As the first half ended there was almost an element of boredom setting in, is this what it feels like when teams win everything all the time? I was getting bored of us scoring and Arsenal showing no fight, quite frankly I don't feel they should escape any criticism because they really were diabolical. How can they expect to win the title playing like that? Happy to allow us all the time on the ball, applying no pressure and messing things up completely in defence?
The second half began and there were no signs that Arsene Wenger's team talk had worked. It was very much the same situation just with the Reds this time attacking their favoured Kop End.
Just five minutes in and yes, you guessed it, Liverpool had scored again! Sterling who was having a wonderful game saw his initial effort saved by Szczesny but the ball splayed back out to the youngster who then converted his chance.
Just before the hour mark Arsene Wenger decided to make a triple substitution however I'm not certain the Reds were too concerned about the likes of Podolski, Rosicky and Gibbs entering play.
In fairness though just after his introduction, Podolski did assist Jack Wilshere who had one of Arsenal's six shots on target.
Shortly after Wilshere's chance Koscielny fouled Suarez and the Uruguayan stepped up to take the free kick for the Reds. His effort was crafted perfectly with the ball heading straight for the exact top right corner of goal but Szczesny had spotted what Suarez was trying to do and made a great save to deny him.
At 70 minutes Arsenal finally got a chance for a small consolation when Steven Gerrard brought down Oxlade-Chamberlain in the box. Mikel Arteta took the spot kick sending it straight down the middle to beat a not so distracting Mignolet.
Shortly after their goal a barge from Steven Gerrard left Wilshere on the floor, the Arsenal man was making a right meal of things considering he'd done exactly the same thing to Gerrard early on in the game. Wilshere really gets on my nerves, he seems to think he's god's gift to football and for me a stern charge from Steven Gerrard is exactly what he needed.
A Flanagan challenge on Wilshere afterwards gifted Arsenal with a free kick late on with Arteta stepping up to take it. His effort curled around the wall but a great save from Mignolet meant Liverpool would not concede another.
Chances from Sterling and Cissokho as the game died downed further instilled Liverpool's dominance in this game even when Arsenal had a slightly improved spell and at 90 minutes hundreds of cameras proceeded to take that snap of the scoreboard as Reds fans basked in the delight of beating Arsenal 5-1.
Simply brilliant!
I asked you for your thoughts on the game and here are a few of the tweets I received.
