Liverpool 4-0 Fuham Match Report
Liverpool recorded their 250th Premier League home win as they destroyed a struggling Fulham side to bounce back from their disappointment from the previous week’s defeat at Arsenal. An own goal from Amorebieta started the scoring before a Skrtel header and a brace from Suarez as the Reds ran out comfortable winners.
The Team
Danie Agger and the fit-again Glen Johnson and Coutinho returned to the Liverpool side as Rodgers made a few tactical changes as well as changes to his personnel for the visit of Fulham. Mignolet started in goal behind a back four including Johnson, Cissokho, Agger and Skrtel, with a midfield of Lucas, Gerrard, Henderson and Coutinho with Sturridge and Suarez the front two strikers.
The Match
Liverpool started the match with a high-tempo and put their visitors on the back foot, Agger fired over the bar before Coutinho sent a shot wide all inside the first five minutes.
Next a superb move involving Coutinho, Gerrard and Suarez almost set-up Sturridge but Stekelenburg managed to intercept the danger.
The Reds’ onslaught was relentless, but Fulham did try to counter and Kasami had a shot blocked before Mignolet saved from Berbatov.
Liverpool took the lead moments later when a Gerrard free-kick was met by the head of Suarez before deflecting off the unlucky Amorebieta and into the net.
Three minutes later Liverpool were celebrating again when a Gerrard corner kick was powerfully headed into the net by Martin Skrtel.
Liverpool continued to pour forward and Coutinho thought he had scored on the half-hour mark only to see his brilliant volley spectacularly saved by Stekelenburg.
A minute later the Brazilian’s drilled effort was also saved before a superb move was ended with Sturridge firing just over the bar with the outside of his foot.
Liverpool continued to dominate and it was no surprise when they added a third goal when Henderson played a neat through ball to Suarez to slide the ball past his former Ajax team-mate Stekelenburg.
Liverpool ended the first half with stats of 16 attempts on goal and 70 per cent of possession.
Liverpool started the second half the way they started the first and they almost added a fourth when Suarez and Sturridge had efforts between them in the space of seconds in some pinball action in the Fulham penalty box before Suarez eventually fired over from close range with the goal at his mercy.
Moments later Sturridge worked some space inside the Fulham area but his clipped effort went wide.
The fourth goal finally came in the 54th minute when Gerrard played in Suarez and the Uruguayan added to his goal tally with 8 for the season.
Suarez was intent on getting a hat-trick and he even tried to shoot from the half-way line but his effort sailed wide.
Then Suarez sent a curling 25-yard effort over before Rodgers rang the changes by replacing Gerrard and Sturridge with Allen and Moses.
Liverpool continued to press for more goals but had to settle for four which was enough to claim second place in the league table.
Summary
A terrific performance from Liverpool with a hunger and desire that was impressive against a struggling Fulham side. Liverpool never stepped off the gas or gave Fulham a chance to come back into the game.
The players are looking really confident just now and everybody wants the ball as they played some sublime passing moves throughout the afternoon.
Gerrard orchestrated from the middle of the park and Jordan Henderson was superb again as he covered every blade of grass. Coutinho showed what’s been missing in recent weeks as he proved to be a constant menace to the Fulham defence just like Suarez as they couldn’t cope with the striker’s movement and skill.
Probably the best performance of the season from the Reds but there will be much tougher games ahead starting with the short trip to Goodison next.
The Kopite View 