Take a good look at that scoreline because they don’t get much better than that. In fact, as good as that scoreline is, 5-1 actually flattered the absolutely outclassed Gunners. Four goals, two other chances and Suarez hitting the woodwork all in the first 19 minutes put all Liverpool fans into dreamland and all Arsenal fans into despair.
Much has been said as to whether this was Liverpool’s finest performance not only of this season, but also for some years. They absolutely battered Arsenal from the very first whistle. It is a credit I suppose to Arsenal that it wasn’t eight, nine or even ten at the end.
From the first 45 seconds or so when Martin Skrtel put Liverpool ahead from a set piece brilliantly delivered again by captain Steven Gerrard, Liverpool were dominant in every department than their shell-shocked rivals. I remember turning to my mate on The Kop after 19 minutes and saying that as we had packed so much into those first 19 minutes, it felt like it was the 89th minute.
By the tenth minute, incredibly Skrtel was on a hat-trick and further goals were to come from Raheem Sterling, who netted twice and could and should have a hat-trick himself in a man-of-the-match performance, and Daniel Sturridge (again!!). Quite incredibly, Liverpool scored five and Luis Suarez was not on the scoresheet. No worries, it won’t be long before he will be again.
So many good performances from Liverpool players on the day, but as mentioned Raheem Sterling was probably man-of-the-match. A special mention though for Steven Gerrard. Top performances from “Stevie G” are the norm, so in many ways he does not get as many mentions as maybe he should, as his performance levels and standards are consistently so high. The way he commanded the midfield and, in his new holding role, the way he broke up Arsenal attacks was top drawer.
Much to admire from Liverpool. Stating the obvious, the three points closed the gap on the three teams above us – including Arsenal. Long may this form and this type of result continue.
See some of the highlights of the game here below….