Andy Carroll helped himself to his first and second Liverpool goals as the reds destroyed Champions League and FA Cup chasing Man City within the first 35 minutes of this one-sided game.
With Liverpool’s injury crisis in defence deepening, Kyrgiakos added to the list prior to kick off with illness, 18 year old John Flanagan was handed his LFC debut and had a storming game – keeping Kolarov quiet and instrumental in some link up play with Kuyt down the wing.
Liverpool started very brightly with Suarez uncontainable, and pulling the Man City backline to pieces.
It was Suarez who had the first real chance, a shot tipped on to the post by Joe Hart early on.
Liverpool’s pace, movement and one touch football left Man City chasing shadows, and in the 13th minute, OUR number 9 opened his account. A Meireles shot was deflected and 25 yards out Carroll smashed a left footed shot that Hart could not stop. It was reminiscent of the goal he scored against us earlier this season. The crowd erupted.
Left footed pile-driver from Carroll
Andy Carroll scores his debut goal for LFC, before adding another
Tevez was removed minutes later and the ineffectual Balotelli came on to the field. He would later suffer the ignominy of being replaced himself.
The reds continued to dominate, and after a sustained period of pressure in which almost any player in a red shirt could have scored, the ball eventually landed to Kuyt who drilled it home.
Within a minute the game was over when Carroll scored his second and Liverpool’s third, a cross from Meireles was perfectly placed and Carroll headed the ball in.
Kuyt, Meireles, Suarez and Carroll could have added 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th’s in a second half that was just as dominant as the first.
Dalglish pointed out after the game that he was still awaiting Carroll’s first goal in front of the Kop, but Dalglish withdrew the former Newcastle star with a minute left to a standing ovation.
Debut boy John Flanagan took away the match ball, at one point, taunting Kolarov with a spin and a clean pass. It was that sort of night.
Liverpool now have 7 wins in the last 10 Premier League games. When you consider we only won 7 in Roy Hodgson’s 20 games in charge you can see the massive change that has undergone Anfield almost overnight.
Liverpool’s 20 game handicap at the start of the season may have ruined a chance of European football – but the reds will be determined to end the season on as much of a positive as possible. Many fans are already looking ahead with anticipation to the season ahead.