LIVERPOOL RE-ENERGISED THEIR Premier League title challenge with a magnificent 5-1 rout of sorry leaders Arsenal on an afternoon of one-way traffic at Anfield.
Brendan Rodgers’s rampant side struck four times in the first 20 minutes, as Arsenal saw a run of 10 games without defeat in all competitions torn to shreds in brutal fashion.
Martin Skrtel scored twice in 10 minutes to spark the rout, with Raheem Sterling claiming a brace and Daniel Sturridge also finding the net before Mikel Arteta replied for Arsene Wenger’s humbled Arsenal.
The one-sided victory lifted fourth-place Liverpool to within five points of Arsenal, a week before the sides are due to meet again at the Emirates Stadium in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
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Liverpool’s performance, meanwhile, suggested that they cannot be discounted from the title picture despite media projections of a three-horse race between Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Seeking to return to winning ways after a 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion last weekend, Liverpool went ahead inside a minute when Skrtel kneed Steven Gerrard’s free-kick past Wojciech Szczesny from close range.
The same combination doubled Liverpool’s lead in the 10th minute, with Skrtel stooping to guide a looping header into the top-left corner from Gerrard’s right-wing corner.
Sturridge lobbed wide and Luis Suarez hit the post with a blistering half-volley from outside the box before Sterling tucked in a low cross from Suarez to make it 3-0.
The fourth arrived in the 20th minute, Sturridge steering the ball past Szczesny from Philippe Coutinho’s delicately weighted pass as Arsenal’s travelling fans looked on in disbelieving horror.
Sterling scored at the second attempt in the 52nd minute to tighten the screw yet further, before Arteta netted from the penalty spot in the 69th minute after Gerrard was penalised for felling Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Arsenal’s dejection could be compounded later on Saturday as both Manchester City and Chelsea will overtake them if they win their respective matches.
Chelsea, who won 1-0 at City on Monday, host Newcastle United, while City visit Norwich City.
In the late game, meanwhile, Swansea City tackle local rivals Cardiff City in their first match since Michael Laudrup was sacked as manager.
Could of easily been 7! Fantastic attacking performance. Defence is dodgy so best thing to do is keep going forward.
Have to do it against the West Brom’s and Villa’s of this world aswel tho.
No title claim,just top 4,sneaky eye on 3rd if Arsenal impolde,
Great win today could have should have been more,Arsenal were lucky to get 1,
Focus on Fulham Wednesday would be a sin if we throw away the chance we have
Any real Liverpool fan will tell you the aim this year is for champions league football next season. We’re not title contenders but we have a great manager and a really good young squad who are all in great form. Squad needs to be strengthened especially at the back but it’s a gradual process. 4th and FA cup would be fantastic year
Exactly, so what’s the big swinging mickey on this year? Wasn’t back in the 80′s. Oh amazing finishing 4th. 4TH! Sad state of affairs when it’s good season finishing 4th. Don’t care about the oil money. UTD still won leagues. Proper clubs like arsenal, Liverpool and man utd shouldn’t have to “settle” for 4th. RICH BECAUSE THEYRE SUCCESSFUL. NOT SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE THRYRE RICH.
Yeah it definitely looked like a rant… Rich is history, heritage and success, only Pool, Man U are there…. Then Arsenal, the other two would be relegated if owners leave….
If you play a midfield as small and as lightweight as Arsenal, did you end up with a result like today .Offered no protection to the back four at all.Could have been another 2/3 goals.
I always enjoy good football,don’t know where that came from ,fair play to them,but knowing them they’ll roll over to Chelsea and City,today was their big day.
Beat Spurs 5-0, Everton 4-0, scored 5 at Stoke recently and u couldn’t see it coming haha Small squad but keep everyone fit and who knows where they will finish!
At the start of the season, I said pool had a great chance for top 4 and I got laughed at. It seems mancs have given up talking about their own sh!te team now and try and spout tripe about the pool. How the mighty have fallen! Get used to it!
Have what you like on arsenal to beat united on Wednesday,3 subs who came on will be starting and ozil is a top player but at the moment he should get what he deserves(a long stint on the bench)
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Could of easily been 7! Fantastic attacking performance. Defence is dodgy so best thing to do is keep going forward.
Have to do it against the West Brom’s and Villa’s of this world aswel tho.
Anyone else feel a wee bit gutted the gooners got 1??
As a defender, I’m horny for clean sheets.
Could ‘have’.
No title claim,just top 4,sneaky eye on 3rd if Arsenal impolde,
Great win today could have should have been more,Arsenal were lucky to get 1,
Focus on Fulham Wednesday would be a sin if we throw away the chance we have
City and chelsea still have to go to Anfield and still have to play each other. Liverpool can finish higher than 4th.
Think Chelsea did the double over City already, one was the game with the Joe Hart mistake, the other was last week.
Regardless though, fantastic result!
A serious statement of intent today from Liverpool and should be shot if they don’t get a top 4 finish .
Good win today….keeping 4th place in sight….we’ll done!
Well that certainly shut me up. No excuses. Liverpool were awsome first half.
Any real Liverpool fan will tell you the aim this year is for champions league football next season. We’re not title contenders but we have a great manager and a really good young squad who are all in great form. Squad needs to be strengthened especially at the back but it’s a gradual process. 4th and FA cup would be fantastic year
I’d go out of the cup next weekend if it guaranteed fourth.
Sweet
Didn’t Liverpool finish 2nd a few years ago?
08/09 I think
Exactly, so what’s the big swinging mickey on this year? Wasn’t back in the 80′s. Oh amazing finishing 4th. 4TH! Sad state of affairs when it’s good season finishing 4th. Don’t care about the oil money. UTD still won leagues. Proper clubs like arsenal, Liverpool and man utd shouldn’t have to “settle” for 4th. RICH BECAUSE THEYRE SUCCESSFUL. NOT SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE THRYRE RICH.
Ps I don’t believe any of this. Just ranting.
Yeah it definitely looked like a rant… Rich is history, heritage and success, only Pool, Man U are there…. Then Arsenal, the other two would be relegated if owners leave….
Yes. Didn’t United win the league last year? My grandfather was alive in 2001. What’s your point?
Jimmy Redmond did you enjoy the game?
If you play a midfield as small and as lightweight as Arsenal, did you end up with a result like today .Offered no protection to the back four at all.Could have been another 2/3 goals.
Annettecurtain is a stool.
Annettecurtain’s mother is a stool.
I always enjoy good football,don’t know where that came from ,fair play to them,but knowing them they’ll roll over to Chelsea and City,today was their big day.
Bring on city and chelsea. I hope we destroy them both. No fear at anfield, the cauldron!
Beat Spurs 5-0, Everton 4-0, scored 5 at Stoke recently and u couldn’t see it coming haha Small squad but keep everyone fit and who knows where they will finish!
Send me your address, case of sour grapes here nobody wants/needs.
Get used to it Jimmy
Barstoolers
Stool.
The wheels might be about to come off the wengabus!!! Will the pool fans start celebrating the 4th place like they did being top at Xmas?
At the start of the season, I said pool had a great chance for top 4 and I got laughed at. It seems mancs have given up talking about their own sh!te team now and try and spout tripe about the pool. How the mighty have fallen! Get used to it!
Have what you like on arsenal to beat united on Wednesday,3 subs who came on will be starting and ozil is a top player but at the moment he should get what he deserves(a long stint on the bench)
Arsenal looking good for a top 4 finis! Go on the gunners!preferably
Any sign of that test justice for for acting like a troll clown