Another one of those great Anfield European nights which spoil the Liverpool supporters to no end. Good, powerful display from the Reds, overwhelming superiority all around the park, and the new 20.3 million pound sterling signing Robbie Keane scoring his first goal for his new team. And let’s not forget that absolute trademark cracker from Steven Gerrard, the 100th goal of his career.
Not one of the hardest tests for Rafa Benitez' men as PSV were never going to trouble the Reds at Anfield too much, at least not by massing players behind the ball. The illusion for the visitors that they would frustrate Liverpool the way Stoke City did with 10 men playing in defence, was shattered very early. Their nemesis came in the form of their countryman, Dirk Kuyt, who broke the deadlock in the fifth minute of the match.
Ahead of the match Benitez had suggested there would be no rotation of the squad with which Liverpool played in the first 10 matches of the season. This wasn’t just some tactical trick; he was true to his word. And his tactic was successful as he didn’t have to wait too long to see his players produce the goods.
Fabio Aurelio's return in the first 11 for Liverpool in the place of Andrea Dossena was the only difference from the side that Liverpool fielded against Everton in the Merseyside derby this past Saturday, and it was a policy that would serve the Reds’ boss well.
During the opening 30 minutes of the first half, Liverpool were all over the Dutch side. They played with confidence, composure and tons of control, and it was only a matter of when, and not if, the second goal would come. Fernando Torres missed a great chance when he invaded the penalty area from the right and shot low past the left bar. Torres powered another header that went over the bar after Steven Gerrard planted the ball on his head from a corner kick.
Then Robbie Keane stormed in the box, appeared to have tripped and claimed there was a penalty, but the referee didn’t see it that way.
Torres, Kuyt and Keane looked particularly menacing when, 35 minutes in, the home side finally doubled their advantage with Robbie Keane scoring his first in the red shirt.
The second half started in similar fashion with Liverpool pushing for a third when in the 59th minute Nordin Amrabat shot a 25 cannon past Pepe Reina's right hand and suddenly PSV were back in the game, 2-1.
It was a very rare foray forward for the guests from Holland, with the remainder of the match from that point on being in and around the Dutch penalty area.
European nights are when Steven Gerrard shines the most, and he wasn’t going to have one like this pass without stamping his authority all over it. In the 77th minute Liverpool were awarded a free kick in front of the Kop terrace. Aurelio gently tapped the ball towards Gerrard, followed by a trademark Exocet, and the ball was in the net, 3-1.
The Anfield Kop end went wild and it was a great wrap up and a deserved win for the Reds. Rafael Benitez had one of those rare grins on his face, as the game was brought to a close. Robbie with his first, Gerrard with his 100th, and three points in the bag for Liverpool.
