The first shots of Anfield showed the stadium enveloped in glorious sunshine. By the final whistle it was Peter Crouch who enveloped himself in glory, as he had his first hat-trick in the Premiership during a 4-1 victory over Arsenal. The two reversals against the same rivals earlier on this year at Anfield feel very distant. Thinking about it, even the dour stalemate of a fortnight ago at Villa Park feels to be ages ago. I said about that stalemate that it got in the way of a good weekend, yesterday's 4-1 rout made up my weekend! Dear me how things do change!
The day started brightly enough with a combination of back heel flicks between Jermaine Pennant and Alvaro Arbeloa as soon as the fourth minute. It was pretty fanciful stuff but it didn't stop there as the Arsenal rearguard was caught wrong footed and paved the way to Peter Crouch for his first one, this time via his right peg. Half an hour later, the same lad won a free-kick over Toure whilst gliding for the ball. Quickly, Xabi Alonso found Fabio Aurelio on his left and with space and time in his hands, the Brazilian did not disappoint as he delivered a perfect cross to the tallest lad on the pitch and rather than cushioning the ball, he just bulleted the ball past the hapless Jens Lehmann.
Arsenal started better in the second half but it was only short-lived as the Danish Daniel Agger with the tiniest of touches from Fabio Aurelio's other perfect delivery from a free-kick on the right made the scoreline 3-0 and well out of reach of Arsenal on a bad day. William Gallas poked the ball after a scramble in the six yard box to give the scoreline a bit more respectability. But it was only short lived as Peter Crouch completed his hat-trick a few minutes afterwards in front of the Kop. A touch of control afforded him space and time over Kolo Toure and with his left foot he sent Jens Lehmann the wrong way.
Peter Crouch rightly took all the glory, but it was a whole team effort with Jermaine Pennant in particular shining as he showed hunger for the ball, passion, pace and willingness to take on opponents. The snub by the England manager must have hurt him but he responded in the best possible way, when rather on the papers he made his point on the pitch. Talking about internationals, Rafael Benitez made the most of fresh legs as the starting line-up consisted of only Steven Gerrard and Daniel Agger who started for their respective countries last Wednesday. It seems that the time afforded to him with the likes of Alvaro Arbeloa, Fabio Aurelio, Javier Mascherano and the English pair of Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch was more than well used, and the lads benefitting of more personal attention, all responded with probably their best performances in a Liverpool shirt.
Rather than waiting a fortnight, this time we only have to wait till next Tuesday for the next match, and it is nothing less than a Champions League quarter final. It is a good time to be a red as always. Roll on Tuesday!
The day started brightly enough with a combination of back heel flicks between Jermaine Pennant and Alvaro Arbeloa as soon as the fourth minute. It was pretty fanciful stuff but it didn't stop there as the Arsenal rearguard was caught wrong footed and paved the way to Peter Crouch for his first one, this time via his right peg. Half an hour later, the same lad won a free-kick over Toure whilst gliding for the ball. Quickly, Xabi Alonso found Fabio Aurelio on his left and with space and time in his hands, the Brazilian did not disappoint as he delivered a perfect cross to the tallest lad on the pitch and rather than cushioning the ball, he just bulleted the ball past the hapless Jens Lehmann.
Arsenal started better in the second half but it was only short-lived as the Danish Daniel Agger with the tiniest of touches from Fabio Aurelio's other perfect delivery from a free-kick on the right made the scoreline 3-0 and well out of reach of Arsenal on a bad day. William Gallas poked the ball after a scramble in the six yard box to give the scoreline a bit more respectability. But it was only short lived as Peter Crouch completed his hat-trick a few minutes afterwards in front of the Kop. A touch of control afforded him space and time over Kolo Toure and with his left foot he sent Jens Lehmann the wrong way.
Peter Crouch rightly took all the glory, but it was a whole team effort with Jermaine Pennant in particular shining as he showed hunger for the ball, passion, pace and willingness to take on opponents. The snub by the England manager must have hurt him but he responded in the best possible way, when rather on the papers he made his point on the pitch. Talking about internationals, Rafael Benitez made the most of fresh legs as the starting line-up consisted of only Steven Gerrard and Daniel Agger who started for their respective countries last Wednesday. It seems that the time afforded to him with the likes of Alvaro Arbeloa, Fabio Aurelio, Javier Mascherano and the English pair of Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch was more than well used, and the lads benefitting of more personal attention, all responded with probably their best performances in a Liverpool shirt.
Rather than waiting a fortnight, this time we only have to wait till next Tuesday for the next match, and it is nothing less than a Champions League quarter final. It is a good time to be a red as always. Roll on Tuesday!
posted by jean paul at 2:06 pm
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