Liverpool FC 4 – Portsmouth 1 - match report
Liverpool do like Mondays after all!
Last night saw Alberto Aquilani score his first goal for the Reds in a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Portsmouth that moves them into fifth place in the Premier League, above Manchester City.
Although Liverpool had failed to score in three of their last four league matches it took just 26 minutes to break the deadlock as Torres slammed his 14th league strike of the season past a blundering Ashdown.
The floodgates had opened and only two minutes later Babel side stepped Jamie O’Hara’s attempted challenge and stabbed a low effort into the bottom corner from 12 yards. Four minutes later Torres hurtled down the left before a deft back-heel found Gerrard and Aquilani was presented with an opening for a crisp left-footed finish to beat the Pompey goalkeeper at his near post and make his mark.
A fourth goal arrived 13 minutes from time as Aquilani picked out Torres with a perfectly weighted through ball and the striker cut inside Rocha before slamming a shot beyond Ashdown.
Portsmouth, looking utterly demoralised and devoid of inspiration did manage a consolation goal just before full time with a tap home from Belhadj, but the night belonged to Liverpool.
There was a moment of controversy in the 72nd minute as Gerrard elbowed Michael Brown in the back of the head off the ball and he was subbed by Benitez soon after, perhaps in an attempt to avoid losing him to a suspension just when he is most needed.
If the Reds can take the momentum from this triumph into their Europa League showdown with Lille on Thursday night they have an outstanding chance of reaching the last eight.
Liverpool do like Mondays after all!
Last night saw Alberto Aquilani score his first goal for the Reds in a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Portsmouth that moves them into fifth place in the Premier League, above Manchester City.
Although Liverpool had failed to score in three of their last four league matches it took just 26 minutes to break the deadlock as Torres slammed his 14th league strike of the season past a blundering Ashdown.
The floodgates had opened and only two minutes later Babel side stepped Jamie O’Hara’s attempted challenge and stabbed a low effort into the bottom corner from 12 yards. Four minutes later Torres hurtled down the left before a deft back-heel found Gerrard and Aquilani was presented with an opening for a crisp left-footed finish to beat the Pompey goalkeeper at his near post and make his mark.
A fourth goal arrived 13 minutes from time as Aquilani picked out Torres with a perfectly weighted through ball and the striker cut inside Rocha before slamming a shot beyond Ashdown.
Portsmouth, looking utterly demoralised and devoid of inspiration did manage a consolation goal just before full time with a tap home from Belhadj, but the night belonged to Liverpool.
There was a moment of controversy in the 72nd minute as Gerrard elbowed Michael Brown in the back of the head off the ball and he was subbed by Benitez soon after, perhaps in an attempt to avoid losing him to a suspension just when he is most needed.
If the Reds can take the momentum from this triumph into their Europa League showdown with Lille on Thursday night they have an outstanding chance of reaching the last eight.
