IT MIGHT "only" be Hull - but Rafa Benitez couldn't have dreamt this one any better.
With doubts about the ability of sides managed by the Spaniard to break down the lesser sides still lingering, the Reds took to the field against Phil Brown's men with the critics still chanting the mantra about last season's glut of draws.
The Tigers were one of the teams responsible for denying Liverpool No.19 last season but there was no chance of them escaping with a draw this time - not with Fernando Torres in this form.
El Nino has rightly hogged the headlines this weekend after his hat-trick of superb finishes but he's not the only one that's got fans rubbing their hands together.
Yossi Benayoun's Peter Beardsley impression is improving by the week - all he needs to do now is say "obviously" a few times in interviews.
Seriously though, his new role ahead of Steven Gerrard against the sides that come to shut up shop at Anfield is proving to be another tactical masterstroke by Benitez.
Add that to the attacking wing play from our full backs and visiting defenders to L4 have got an awful lot on their plate this season - and that's without Alberto Aquilani and the forward runs of Daniel Agger to worry about.
So, so much for the so-called one-dimensional tactics line often trotted out by the anti-Benitez brigade.
Rafa might have been hampered in the transfer market but he's clearly been putting in the hours with the chalkboard.
Two minutes after half time on Saturday it was pretty much game over - just how Benitez would have wanted it.
With two tough trips next up - to Fiorentina and Chelsea - steamrollering Hull early on meant the key men could be wrapped up for the games ahead - so Gerrard, Benayoun and Torres were all given the hook.
Ryan Babel's recent good form continued when he came on for Torres and - no matter how he scored the second one - a couple of goals will do his confidence the world of good.
So that was that - six goals, the sixth win in a row and the best scoring start to a season for over 100 years by a Liverpool side.
Not bad for a club in crisis...
Now to ram Michael Ballack's words back down his throat. Wigan's deserved win against Chelsea has left us just three points behind the club that believe football started in 2003.
And Ballack, who before his side's visit to the DW Stadium mused that the title could be a two-horse race this season, may be looking up the league table at Liverpool seven days from now.
It's not often I'd consider quoting Tony Pulis. But the Stoke boss summed up it nicely after his side were swept aside 4-0 by the Reds last month:
"They will be right up there fighting for it. Anyone who says anything else is crazy."
Logging you in...
Posts
Ian L · 807 weeks ago
First, a great result and nice to see a couple of games where we have tonked lesser sides - we need to do that more often.
I remember watching Saints & Greavsie in 1988 or 89 when one of them said that we should be called Liverpool Four, as that's what was read out at full time every Saturday!
Och, you're killing me Greavsie!
Anyway, tactcial genius or mother of necessity? My huge concern is that our squad is way too thin.
One of the reasons we messed up less year (apart from cautious Rafa) was injuries to Torres and Gerrard.
They have to be one of the best partnerships in the world at the moment but I worry when they don't play, especially when they are both not on the pitch.
Apart from Ngog, the bench fills me with dread - Voronin, Dossena, and yes, Babel. Despite his cheeky form, I still don't think he's good enough - and he will prove me right when Rafa plays him from the start.
Back will come the lazy, can't be ar5ed attitude - is he related to Cisse?
We clearly need more players and for Rafa to buy better. I laughed so loud yesterday when one of the Sundays said Rafa had demanded £45m to buy Villa.
He won't come.
My bet is no top foreign player will come to England (apart from Man City, who will pay so much that it's not a problem) when the top rate of income tax will be 50% plus huge NI contributions.
Kirsty · 807 weeks ago
This new position Yossi Benayoun has been placed in is perfect for breaking down the opposition, not only when the away side is sitting 10 men behind the ball but it will also work a treat against the bigger clubs.
Michael Ballck is still nursing a calf ... injury. And i don't think i've ever heard him say anything of meaning or importance. I shall await his reaction after the game at Stamford Bridge, with Cech out and A.Cole also possibly out this could be a very interesting tie.
Great post, Kirsty.
http://theliverbirdsblog.blogspot.com
robbohuyton 61p · 807 weeks ago
Pretty soon, the only thing the Anti- Benitez crowd will have against him, is "forcing Alonso out the club".
Not quite sure how this works, whatever your view on the events surrounding him last summer and this.
For me, its like this.
Rafa had been shafted again in Summer 08, wanted to buy Barry AND keep Alonso, but was told he needed to sell to buy and so invited offers for Alonso.
That's business, not personal. Then, when Barry fell through,
Xabi stayed and had probably his best season (possibly as a "I'll show you" to Rafa. Who knows?).
Then Xabi, who it turns out, was pissed off, now wanted to move, so Rafa held out to get the best price for him. Again, business.
For some people its far to easy to go "Rafa's a cunt". They are the ones who say, "I support Liverpool FC, not Rafa FC".
That's correct, and so is replying, "I support Liverpool FC, not Xabi Alonso FC".
Sorry for the rant, but there are 2 guys who wait by the Kop exit for the full time scores and it doesnt matter what our result, they always find something to moan about.
Mostly Benitez and Xabi. etc
Richard Buxton · 807 weeks ago
Credit to Rafa for holding out for not a penny less than his asking price. Xabi was going whether we liked it or not but the manager made sure we got a good price for him.
As for our bench - what are people expecting? Do they seriously believe any decent striker worth his salt is going to sit on the bench for 75 minutes per game and be happy with getting the odd start when Torres is injured? When you consider that Kygriakos - as good as he may be - cost less than the owner's claimed back in business expenses, you start to realise why our bench is lacking stellar quality. It's not a bad bench but it could be stronger. Unfortunately we need a change of leadership in the boardroom, not the dugout which is what these people are not seeing.
Rich
Matthew Cain · 807 weeks ago
But be playing further back, Gerrard is contributing much less: whatever Andy Gray might say:
http://blog.matthewcain.co.uk/liverpool-v-hull-ci...
mark harris · 806 weeks ago
That looked far too much like the Rafa of old, far too safe. With the way we've played in the last week we could have been badly knocked, as it is confidence is now restored and we can kick on. If anyone can explain how Riera is ever selected before Benayoun I'dlove to hear the reasoning!
I look forward to taking the piss on Tuesday!
Cheers
Harris
des · 806 weeks ago
makе my еssay · 487 weeks ago