The Liverpool fans at Anfield will have sore hands and hoarse throats as they travel home tonight after watching their Liverpool side destroy a poor Manchester City, most notably in the first half as Liverpool lead with a very well deserved three goal lead. It was the first 45 minutes in which Andy Carroll scored a wonderful brace which highlighted his power, dominance over defenders and that he is certainly not a one trick pony, going some way in proving his £35 million worth. Dirk Kuyt also grabbed a tidy goal to compound City's misery who suffered a miserable away day to lose their grip on that all important fourth spot. Liverpool fans had quite a lot to cheer about.
A bright start by Liverpool saw an, as always well supported Liverpool side dominate play, with young players such as Jay Spearing and debutant John Flanagan impressing throughout. Luiz Suarez was, as always, very lively, running between the defence on a couple of occasions, forcing a good save from Joe Hart just before the opening goal, and coming close on other occasions. He didn't get a goal, but there is no doubt he could have as he tormented the City defence all night.
Andy Carroll's broad smile after scoring his first goal summed up the relief beaming from both him and the fans who have tonight seen the future of their number 9 player, the successor to Fernando Torres who is coincidently still yet to score for his new club, Chelsea. The Englishman said: "The reception I've got from the fans has been great, it's been fantastic since I got here." Talking of his thunderous drive for his unforgettable first goal for Liverpool, he said, "It dropped nicely for me on the edge of the area and I knew I'd hit it (cleanly), and I hit it sweeter than thought."
Liverpool's side since the start of the season has evolved, and the Liverpool fans erupted with joy today as they watched the players perform in a manner in which hasn't been shown very often at all this season. The players were able to control the game and keep the ball in City's half and grab the goals to kill off any threat of a City comeback.
This wasn't helped at all by Carlos Tevez's injury just before Carroll's first goal in which the former Manchester United striker pulled up holding his hamstring. He told the Sky Sports reporter - in sign language as he still struggles with English - that he felt a tear in his hamstring and he thought it was a pretty bad one. That pretty much rules him out of the Manchester United - City clash in the first leg of the FA Cup Semi final on the week end, and could rule him out for the rest of the season.
Liverpool will hope to use today's win as a boost for their week end clash with Arsenal. The Arsenal game is a huge game in terms of the title race, because if Liverpool beat Arsenal, they are all but awarding United's 19th trophy to the Old Trafford side, and seeing United overtake their own league title tally. Arsenal cannot afford another slip up if they are to catch United at the top of the League, and they must take advantage of their game in hand at the Emirates.
