Liverpool returned to winning ways in style this afternoon with a 4-0 win over Fulham at Anfield that lifted them to second in the Premier League table.
The hosts struck twice in the space of three minutes to take the lead, with Fernando Amorebieta scoring an unfortunate own goal before Martin Skrtel thumped a header into the bottom corner shortly afterwards.
Luis Suarez added a goal either side of the break to continue his relentless goalscoring form and clinch a comfortable victory for his side.
Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at a one-sided encounter at Anfield.
Match statistics:
Liverpool:
Shots 32
On target 10
Possession 68%
Corners 9
Fouls 13
Fulham:
Shots 4
On target 1
Possession 32%
Corners 3
Fouls 9
Was the result fair?
Absolutely. Perhaps the most unfair thing about the result was that Liverpool didn't score more goals having had 32 efforts. The hosts were on top from start to finish and didn't give Fulham time to breathe at any point during the match. Fulham rarely threatened Liverpool's half, yet alone their goal, and after the two opening goals came in quick succession their main priority was damage limitation. The statistics give a pretty accurate reading of how the match went, and there was only ever one side who were going to win today.
Liverpool's performance
At times, they were irresistible. They made a bright start to the match and it was no surprise when they broke the deadlock and then followed it up with two more goals within 13 minutes. Fulham couldn't deal with their movement and free-flowing football, with Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez in particular causing the visiting defence all sorts of problems. Perhaps the most pleasing thing for Brendan Rodgers was how quickly his side closed down the opposition wherever they were on the field. It was this that led to the fourth goal, and they didn't stop doing it even in second-half stoppage time with such a commanding lead. It was the perfect response to last week's defeat and a statement of intent to their immediate rivals.
Fulham's performance
Things are looking bleak for Fulham. They have some gifted individuals in their ranks, but they simply weren't given a chance to shine this afternoon. They created nothing in attack and struggled to deal with Liverpool's relentless breaks forward. Manager Martin Jol would not have been expecting much from today's match and he can perhaps take a little joy from the knowledge that most teams would have found it hard against Liverpool in that form, but it was another disheartening performance from a side low on confidence. That is now four defeats on the bounce and they could end the weekend in the bottom three. Jol's job security is diminishing by the week.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Luis Suarez: After a summer of pining for a move away from Anfield, Luis Suarez looks more comfortable at Liverpool's home than ever before. He has now scored five goals in his last two outings at Anfield and his constant pressure and refusal to let up gave the Fulham defence problems all afternoon. He forced the own goal and scored two of his own, yet in the final minute he still looked like a man who was trying to prove himself after a bad performance. His hunger is unmatched and, coupled with his quality, it makes for a world-class player.
Biggest gaffe
This one would have to go to Fernando Amorebieta, but not for his own goal which was unfortunate rather than a mistake. From the next delivery, however, he was at fault, losing Skrtel and allowing the Liverpool defender to put his side 2-0 up with a second goal in the space of three minutes. That quickfire brace effectively killed the game off, while Fulham may have been able to regroup had they avoided conceding again so soon afterwards. Kieran Richardson also deserves a mention here for being caught in possession in the build-up to the fourth goal.
Referee performance
Michael Jones had a fairly quiet game with not much to do. There were a couple of penalty claims for Liverpool and one for Fulham, but the Welshman got each one right when he waved them away.
What next?
Liverpool: Liverpool face one of the biggest matches of their season after the international break as they take on Everton at Goodison Park in the Merseyside derby.
Fulham: Fulham will look to regroup over the two-week break before hosting Swansea City at Craven Cottage.
Barney Corkhill
