Liverpool began at an intense pace with fast, accurate one-touch passing. Somewhat surprisingly, Martin O'Neill persisted with his 4-4-2 formation, accommodating John Carew and Emile Heskey as a front pairing and sacrificing Gabriel Agbonlahor. But more importantly Villa needed a third central midfield player or one of their front two to drop back to help compensate for Liverpool's clear superiority.
Teams who have drawn at Anfield, such as Stoke, West Ham and Hull, have resisted the temptation to open up centrally. Stilian Petrov and Gareth Barry, so influential in the first half against Spurs last week, desperately needed help as Liverpool flocked forward and countered too quickly for the Midlanders.
Carew and Heskey looked like a pair of lumberjacks compared with the wiles and cunning of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. The Villa front two played square with each other. For Liverpool Gerrard dropped off and oozed class as he drifted into acres of free space to terrorise Villa. Even early on it was essential that Villa tried to mirror Liverpool's system. Villa were overly brave, keeping James Milner (not as quick as Aaron Lennon but a more accurate crosser) and Ashley Young as their wide targets. But Liverpool's trio, with Javier Mascherano and the superb passing of Xabi Alonso at the base of the triangle and Gerrard at the apex, never gave Villa a second to dictate. Petrov and Barry strived vainly with their beleaguered colleagues but whenever they tried to stand up to Liverpool the hosts were in command.
Brad Friedel's sending off was harsh but with Gerrard celebrating another penalty success Villa still refused to go for damage limitation. Alonso left the field to deserved, sustained applause but it was an easy afternoon for him to display his talents. However, it was Gerrard who was the key who unlocked Villa so readily.
He floated into free space and enjoyed the freedom of the centre of Anfield. Villa were guilty of not marking him or closing him down or making his life difficult. The best current English player has given Liverpool a huge lift and left the Villa manager searching for the aspirins. At least O'Neill is one of the best at recovering from headaches.
Teams who have drawn at Anfield, such as Stoke, West Ham and Hull, have resisted the temptation to open up centrally. Stilian Petrov and Gareth Barry, so influential in the first half against Spurs last week, desperately needed help as Liverpool flocked forward and countered too quickly for the Midlanders.
Carew and Heskey looked like a pair of lumberjacks compared with the wiles and cunning of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. The Villa front two played square with each other. For Liverpool Gerrard dropped off and oozed class as he drifted into acres of free space to terrorise Villa. Even early on it was essential that Villa tried to mirror Liverpool's system. Villa were overly brave, keeping James Milner (not as quick as Aaron Lennon but a more accurate crosser) and Ashley Young as their wide targets. But Liverpool's trio, with Javier Mascherano and the superb passing of Xabi Alonso at the base of the triangle and Gerrard at the apex, never gave Villa a second to dictate. Petrov and Barry strived vainly with their beleaguered colleagues but whenever they tried to stand up to Liverpool the hosts were in command.
Brad Friedel's sending off was harsh but with Gerrard celebrating another penalty success Villa still refused to go for damage limitation. Alonso left the field to deserved, sustained applause but it was an easy afternoon for him to display his talents. However, it was Gerrard who was the key who unlocked Villa so readily.
He floated into free space and enjoyed the freedom of the centre of Anfield. Villa were guilty of not marking him or closing him down or making his life difficult. The best current English player has given Liverpool a huge lift and left the Villa manager searching for the aspirins. At least O'Neill is one of the best at recovering from headaches.
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