Reds enjoy happy Monday

Liverpool stay in hunt for top four with Pompey triumph

Last updated: 16th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Liverpool v Portsmouth Fernando Torres second goal celeb

Torres celebrates his second

Liverpool v Portsmouth Ryan Babel goal

Babel blast: Ryan Babel rifles in Liverpool's second

fernando torres celebrates liverpool portsmouth

Torres joy: Fernando Torres puts Liverpool ahead

alberto aquilani liverpool portsmouth

On the mark: Aquilani celebrates his first Liverpool goal
MATCH FACTS
Man of the match - Fernando Torres. Hard to separate the Spaniard from Alberto Aquilani but Torres was a constant menace and his two goals showed he is close to returning to his lethal best with games against Lille and Manchester United to come.
Goal of the match - Aquilani. The Italian's first strike in a Liverpool shirt was a belter as he ran on to Torres' backheel to sweep the ball in.
Save of the match - Pepe Reina. The Spaniard was a virtual spectator but still pulled off a great one-handed stop to deny Michael Brown.
Talking point. The match was easy for Liverpool but unfortunately they may be left to rue Steven Gerrard's second-half clash with Brown in which the Liverpool skipper appeared to throw an arm at his opposite number. Time will tell whether the FA wish to look further at the unsavoury incident. If they do, Gerrard can expect a ban which will see him miss the game with Manchester United.

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Liverpool turned a potential blue Monday into a happy Monday as they swept Portsmouth aside 4-1 to ease the woes at Anfield.

The Reds suffered Monday misery at Wigan seven days ago but began a big week well with a comprehensive win over Pompey.

Monday night football has rarely suited Liverpool - they had not opened the week with a win in their last nine attempts - but they were seldom threatened by the Premier League's basement boys.

Three goals in six first-half minutes - one each for Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel to go with Alberto Aquilani's first strike in English football - killed the game as a contest and turned the second period into a virtual training exercise for the home side.

Torres netted his second after 77 minutes as Liverpool peppered Jamie Ashdown's goal before Nadir Belhadj bagged a late consolation the visitors scarcely deserved.

Torres and Steven Gerrard were both substituted late on with matches against Lille and Manchester United to come in the next week, the Liverpool skipper going off just moments after appearing to throw an arm at opposite number Michael Brown.

But Liverpool fans may prefer to dwell on the performance of Aquilani who finally found a performance to justify his £17million price tag.

The summer signing, brought in after Xabi Alonso's sale to Real Madrid, has struggled to adapt to life in England but was at the heart of everything in only his fifth Barclays Premier League start.

After the defeat at Wigan, the Reds needed a positive start and the intent was apparent from the off as Torres' run towards the penalty area inside the first minute was halted only by Marc Wilson's tug.

Having cranked up the pressure against the massed ranks of Portsmouth's defence - with Torres and Gerrard both having penalty shouts turned down - Liverpool eventually made the breakthrough they were so desperate for in the 26th minute.

It was with more than a slice of good fortune, however, and came courtesy of goalkeeper Ashdown, making only his fourth appearance this season because of David James' calf injury.

Ashdown drilled Ricardo Rocha's back-pass straight at Gerrard and the ball dropped to Maxi Rodriguez, who squared for Torres to roll a shot into the empty net.

Two minutes later Glen Johnson's cross to the far post dropped to Torres, who turned former Liverpool defender Steve Finnan before slipping a pass inside for Babel to poke home.

In the 32nd minute the goal that all Anfield - and Aquilani - had hoped for came when Gerrard played in Torres, who crossed back for his captain to dummy and allow his team-mate to fire home in front of the Kop.

Barrage

Torres could have made it 4-0 in the 35th minute when he cut in from the left to curl a right-foot shot beyond Ashdown only to see it rebound back off the post. Gerrard fired wide from Johnson's return ball.

Portsmouth were slow to return for the second half and it was perhaps understandable as the barrage continued almost immediately.

In probably the best move of the match, the ball was worked in from the right starting with Rodriguez and going through Torres, Aquilani, Babel, and Aquilani again before Gerrard's shot at the far post was charged down by Ashdown.

From the same move the Portsmouth goalkeeper's fingertip save then tipped Babel's shot onto the crossbar and over.

Portsmouth threatened in the 55th minute when Brown's shot was instinctively touched over by Jose Reina.

But it was only a brief respite as Rodriguez fired wide and Johnson should have had a penalty when Belhadj brought down the England international.

Gerrard departed in the 74th minute, having just been involved in a clash with Brown in which the Reds captain appeared to thrust an arm across his opponent's face, as Yossi Benayoun came on.

Aquilani's dream night continued in the 77th minute when he threaded a pass to Torres in the penalty area and he cut back onto his right foot to blast a shot inside the near post.

The Spaniard, who has now scored 15 Premier League goals to beat his tally of last season, was immediately replaced by David Ngog.

Torres, who looks to be returning to his lethal best having been sidelined for five weeks after a knee operation, left to a standing ovation.

Even a late goal from Belhadj, sidefooting in Frederic Piquionne's volley across goal, could not spoil a straightforward night for the hosts.

LiverpoolTeam StatisticsPortsmouth
4Goals1
31st Half Goals0
9Shots on Target3
10Shots off Target6
6Blocked Shots0
8Corners4
10Fouls16
0Offsides1
0Yellow Cards2
0Red Cards0
86.6Passing Success74.4
21Tackles17
61.9Tackles Success88.2
64.5Possession35.5
55.9Territorial Advantage44.1

Comments (29)

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Mike Richards (Liverpool fan) says...

I can't believe I have read from a Liverpool fan that selling Gerrard would be a good idea. An as for Joe Cole, have you seen his wage demands? The club are trying to reduce the debt not to pay extortionate wage demands. Gerrard is the life and sole of the team. Last night he wanted everything so that led to the whole team wanting everything, the last few games he has had his head down so has the rest of the team. As for the elbow, does that mean every challenge is going to be scruitinised if the ref doesn't see it? Does that mean Felani will get a ban for kicking Kuyt in the face in the derby and also going in on a 2 footed challenge? The ref was 4 yards from it, if it happened off the ball then it should be looked at but the fact of the matter is the ref was there and called no further action.

Posted 13:34 16th March 2010

G Parker (Everton fan) says...

The elbow does look bad but if you watch the replays Brown turns, sees Gerrard and slows down, moves into his path and with his own arm stuck out. Watch the video on YouTube. Brown did it deliberately - obstruction is what I see.

Posted 13:31 16th March 2010

Red Raw (Liverpool fan) says...

Well if Gerrard gets a ban, there was also a flying elbow or punch on Mascherano later on which was just as bad! Aquilani looked like a different player...was playing more advanced role....and getting late runs into the box......I just hope Rafa dont train him to sit next to Masch in a holding role!

Posted 13:30 16th March 2010

Kasim Aslam (Liverpool fan) says...

No Lucas, no Kuyt, no Riera and no Ngog = Result! best game of the season. Babel, Aqua man, maxi and torres were amazing and deserve all the credit they recieve...By far the best game a liverpool fan has seen this season!! However i will bet my mortgage that rafa will use Kuyt and Lucas for the united game!

Posted 12:28 16th March 2010

Tom Woods (Liverpool fan) says...

A very good display by a liverpool team under pressure of getting a champions league finish. Liverpool will need to play the rest of the season like this in order to qaulify for the champions league.

Posted 11:53 16th March 2010

Steve Bennett (Liverpool fan) says...

Good performance by Liverpool. What a pleasure to see a balanced attacking formation with pace and inventiveness. Aquiliani and Maxi were both top draw, and Babel is starting to show his potential. The key to it all was only having one defensive central midfielder. I actually like Lucas and think he is harshly viewed by lots of fans, but dont think him and Masch together gives us the right balance. One or the other, but not both!

Posted 09:16 16th March 2010

Lewis D (Liverpool fan) says...

4th place and the Europa league still up for grabs ¿ wouldn¿t be a bad season if we took both! I think that might be a very important result for us, I can¿t remember the last time we won and won well. Not just grinding out a result, but really out playing someone. I know they are bottom of the league and we should have won, but it was still great to finally look like we had the confidence to go and take the game by the throat. After the weekend I can¿t see past Arsenal for the title, great team playing well. Hoping we can do the Gunners a favour on Sunday as well.

Posted 08:21 16th March 2010

Jenny Kynes (Liverpool fan) says...

Rafa - let the football speak for itself. Positive play at last - just the confidence we need. Great birthday present for my sister-in-law. Cheers guys, more of the same please.

Posted 08:20 16th March 2010

Daniel Matu (Arsenal fan) says...

Liverpool will collect the three points at Old Trafford come Sunday

Posted 06:28 16th March 2010

Paul Burke (Arsenal fan) says...

It amazes me how all the Liverpool fans are now singing praises for Liverpool. I would seriously be questioning them if they could not beat a team that is in big financial problems and only won 4 games, drawn 5 and lost 20 at Anfield! Europa league for Liverpool next year.

Posted 06:00 16th March 2010

Steve Baker (Liverpool fan) says...

Now sell Lucas, Aurelio and Riera to add to the squad, another quality midfileder or a partner for Torres with Gerrard playing back with Mascherano.

Posted 04:56 16th March 2010

Brendan Kearney (Liverpool fan) says...

If ever there was a lesson for Rafa it was tonight, drop Lucas and play an attacking midfielder instead of 2 defensive ones, Aquilani had a decent game, a mention for Babel also, he was a constant threat , it proves that if you give him a run of games he will deliver. It's a pity he didn't try this in August, then we wouldn't be where we are now. Gerrard should be sold in the summer, take the 30m that Madrid will offer and bring in Ashley young and joe cole. Oh and martin O Neill also, he's the man that can deliver for us, we need a manager with passion to get the ball rolling again at anfield YNWA

Posted 23:11 15th March 2010

Arnold Bennett (Liverpool fan) says...

Great evening with Aquilani in particular playing top class. It will at least shut the haters up for a couple of days. The hole team gelled well and showed some of the spark that seems to have dissipated since last season. Don't know what Gerrard was thinking thrusting his arm at Brown though, completely unnecessary. My only thought is that it was a mixture of fatigue and frustration as Brown tried to block his run off, so in a way I can't blame him. Wouldn't be surprised to see him get a ban for that one from the FA, although if he comes out and explains himself I think it can be avoided. It's going to be a tough game against a flying Man United on Sunday, should be a great game for the neutrals.

Posted 23:09 15th March 2010

Matthew Neville (Arsenal fan) says...

At the beginning of the season i tipped Man City for a champions league spot, West Ham United to get relegated and Arsenal to win the league so i'm not far off am i.

Posted 23:05 15th March 2010

Kev Whyte (Manchester United fan) says...

If Gerrard doesn't get a ban then there must be a different rule for them, i've already noticed people below already moaning about the 'top 4' having 'seperate rules'!! Well i think you must all be forgetting that Rio got his ban for his 'supposed' elbow! Gerrards was purely blatant and the fact the ref was right behind with a good view shocks me that he didn't do anythin!!

Posted 23:01 15th March 2010

Daniel Garland (Southampton fan) says...

Well done Liverpool, great game, I enjoyed it :)

Posted 22:59 15th March 2010

Charlie Devlin (Liverpool fan) says...

nice to see a confident attacking game from the reds tonight... thoroughly enjoyed watching it and cant wait for thursday

Posted 22:56 15th March 2010

Howard Keating (Liverpool fan) says...

Ban for Gerrard? The referee clearly saw the incident and awarded a free kick so no further action appropriate or legitimate under premiership rules. No doubt Taggart will be campaigning though along with his mate Sam!

Posted 22:51 15th March 2010

Umair Rahim (Liverpool fan) says...

Paul you've hit the nail on that one... I think Aquilani has earned a start for thursday over Lucas.. but I am not sure if Rafa will risk NOT having two holding midfield players on the pitch come Sunday.. who knows!

Posted 22:37 15th March 2010

Tom Davies (Manchester United fan) says...

C'mon Liverpool! keep it up. We don't want Tottenham or Man City in the Champions League next year.

Posted 22:34 15th March 2010
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