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Sunday, September 2, 2007

~Liverpool signal title intent~

After the midweek mauling of Toulouse, it was expected that Rafa Benitez would make significant changes to his team selection. True to his word of his rotation policy, Benitez made five changes against a team doomed for life in the Championship next season. In return were influential Spanish midfield maestro Xabi Alonso and clinical Spaniard Fernando Torres, and boy, what difference did they make! The two of them weighed in with two goals apiece as the rampant Reds ran riot and hit Derby for six.

With this victory, it propelled the mighty Reds to the top of the league. If not for a certain Rob Styles who had robbed Liverpool of a victory at Anfield against Chelsea, it would have read a perfect 4 wins out of 4 for Benitez’s all conquering side. This massive 3 points gained must have left the Chelseas, Man Utds and Arsenals quaking in their boots as Liverpool start to look like genuine title contenders for the first time in many years.

Liverpool began the match without much inspiration but Alonso popped in with a fluke goal from 35 yards out via a free kick to open the floodgates. Bywater utterly, completely, totally and absolutely misjudged the dead ball to the horror of the Rams as he could only dive haplessly while watching the ball fly into the net. Babel then made it 2-0 at the stroke of half-time with a thunderous shot that rocketed into the roof of the net after dummying two Derby defenders.

The second half performance by Liverpool was something to behold as they smashed in an additional four goals. Newest striking sensation Fernando Torres emphatically reaffirmed his mantle as one of the hottest goal scorers in the game by coolly slotting the ball into the back of the net after some excellent play by Mascherano close to the hour mark. Alonso then stroked in the fourth of the day to complete his brace before Voronin tapped in from close range. Torres confirmed his arrival on the big stage when he rounded off a magnificent performance by rounding the keeper, hammering the final nail in the relegation struggler’s coffin.

The result was more pleasing for the Kopites considering Liverpool were missing defensive stalwart Jamie Carragher and skipper Steven Gerrard. In past seasons, The Reds constantly struggled without the influence of Gerrard. However, today is proof that Liverpool are now a much changed outfit. With the season still a long way to go, anything can happen but one thing is for sure – that Liverpool are certainly in the running for the Premiership title this term.

~Some Anonymous columnist~

p.s. THIS POST WAS PUBLISHED BY THE BIGGEST CHELSEA FAN IN CLASS (or should it be the only chelsea fan). oh, the irony.

p.p.s. THOUGH POSTED BY THE ONLY CHELSEA FAN IN THE CLASS, THIS ARTICLE WAS NOT WRITTEN BY HIM. HE KINDLY POSTED IT IN THE STEAD OF SOMEBODY ELSE.

LOVE 07A11;
11:53 PM