The Rafa Revolution is alive and kicking as his rampant Reds utterly outclassed hapless newboys Derby County, running in six goals at Anfield to go top of the Premiership.
Liverpool are top of the Premier League table for the first time under Rafa Benitez - and for the first time since 2002.
A brace from Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso as well as goals from Ryan Babel and Andrie Voronin helped Liverpool defeat ‘new arrivals’ Derby County by a whopping six goal margin.
The Reds showed no mercy as they produced a real goal fest for their fans on their way to claim their first home league win of the season.
Xabi Alonso opened the scoring with a 45-yard free-kick that eluded everyone to find the back of the net but there was nothing flukey about the win - or the other five goals.
Ryan Babel's deft turn created the space he needed to despatch a superb second. Fernando Torres showed his class to make it 3-0 before Alonso added a fourth with a clinical drive from the edge of the area.
Andriy Voronin came off the bench to make it 5-0 and an Andy Todd error allowed the impressive Torres to complete the rout.
This was brilliance from Liverpool - without either Carragher or Gerrard and with Peter Crouch ubable to even make the bench.It was a chastening experience for Derby, who have now conceded 15 in five games.
First Half
The game began on a lively note with both teams trying to attack from the start. 10 minutes into the game, Liverpool nearly scored the first goal when Torres produced a powerful header from a Pennant cross only to be saved brilliantly by Derby’s goalkeeper Stephen Bywater. From there on Liverpool took full control and started dominating the game.
The Reds were eventually rewarded at the half an hour mark when a curling free kick by Xabi Alonso missed everybody and bounced into the Derby’s goal. Liverpool’s second strike came late into the second half when a brilliant ball by Daniel Agger send Alvaro Arbeloa trough on the left hand side.
The left back pulled it back for Babel who brilliantly dummied two Derby defenders before slamming the ball in the opposition’s goal for Liverpool’s second of the game.
Second Half
The home side resumed the second half from where they had left the first. Alonso missed a great opportunity early in the second half when he failed to keep his shot down after Dirk Kuyt found him on the far post. Liverpool fans didn’t had to wait long as they were celebrating again only a few minutes later when Torres picked up a ball in Derby’s half to score the third goal of the game.
Liverpool’s fourth came 10 minutes after the hour mark when Alonso scored his personal second of the game. The Spaniard slammed a great rebound shot from the edge of the box which found the back of the net. Rafa then decided to give Voronin a run as he brought on for Babel.
The Ukrainian wasted no time to get on the score sheet as he tapped in from close range after Bywater saved a shot from Kuyt. Minutes later Liverpool further extended their lead when a terrible mistake from Derby’s defender Todd allowed Torres to score his second and Liverpool’s sixth of the game.
Minutes before the final whistle Derby’s Fagan had a great chance to reduce the deficit for the visitors but he completely missed his shot from five yards out.
Match Details
Liverpool : Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Agger, Arbeloa, Pennant, Mascherano, Alonso, Babel, Torres, Kuyt.
Subs: Itandje, Riise, Voronin, Benayoun, Sissoko.
Derby: Stephen Bywater, Andy Griffin, Robert Malcolm, Claude Davis, Mo Camara, Andy Todd, Craig Fagan, Matt Oakley, Tyrone Mears, Stephen Pearson, Steve Howard. Subs: Lewis Price, James McEveley, Robert Earnshaw, Gary Teale, Darren Moore.
Final Score:
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