Liverpool scale peak but Rafa gets cold feet

13 April 2012

Rafa Benitez normally spends this time of year trying to convince Liverpool fans their title hopes are not dead yet.

After demolishing Derby and topping the Premier League for the first time in his Anfield reign, the manager now finds himself trying to subdue a wave of euphoria.

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Tower of strength: Fernando Torres celebrates the first of his two goals

The Spaniard gave one of his typical shrugs after the match, insisted this was no time for celebration and waved a fistful of scribbled notes in the air as if that would prove there was plenty for him to work on.

Six goals against a poor team, already looking relegation certainties, is no guarantee Liverpool are about to end their long wait to be champions.

Calm down, calm down as they say in these parts — there are 34 games to go.

This will not stop the Kop dreaming. Ten goals in two games without local heroes Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard has that effect and football's most famous choir were singing once again about winning the League.

Benitez said: "It's good to hear but I have experience and it's better to keep people down. We will see in a few months.

"I know we can improve — you can always improve in football. You must analyse the positive things but sometimes in this game it's better to analyse the problems you had and say next time be careful."

Ten points from four games is Liverpool's best start for nine years. Last year they had four points at the same stage and the title challenge was almost over before it had begun.

But there is more to the confident mood at Anfield than a simple points comparison. There were vibrant passages of play, packed with the sort of flair and fluency not always evident under Benitez.

Dashing wingers Jermaine Pennant — making a point to England manager Steve McClaren — and Ryan Babel had the fans out of their seats.

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Javier Mascherano tackled well and dictated the tempo, Xabi Alonso zipped one-touch passes around and Fernando Torres impressed again.

However, Liverpool needed a fortunate opening goal on 27 minutes to trigger their best football.

Alonso swung a deep free-kick into the goalmouth from 45 yards away on the Liverpool left. Dirk Kuyt looked as if he would get a touch but made no contact as the ball went on to bounce under Stephen Bywater's left hand and inside the post.

Although it was a soft goal, it relieved pressure on the home team and helped them find their stride.

Babel supplied a wonderful finish to a fine passing move to make it two before the interval and the second half soon became a question of how many.

Torres, quick and deadly in front of goal, helped himself to a couple and appeared to relish the physical struggle with Andy Todd and Claude Davis.

Alonso said: "He has shown he is not afraid of the contact here, with defenders trying to put him off. You can see he is not afraid. It is like a motivation for him and he seems to like the challenge.

"It can sometimes be difficult coming into a new league but Fernando has settled very quickly. He has great pace, physical strength and, hopefully, he will score more goals now."

Alonso scored a second with a slick finish and Andriy Voronin bundled his first touch into the net after coming off the bench.

"I prefer to have four, five or nine players scoring goals than one or two," said Benitez.

"It's easy for defenders to control one player but if there are wingers getting into the box and second strikers and midfielders, it's always a big problem for defenders.

"More teams like Derby will come here to defend. We need to learn how to attack them and be patient and keep the tempo high."

Derby were outclassed and their frustration boiled over at times.

Craig Fagan's stamp on Alvaro Arbeloa's calf was missed by referee Alan Wiley but he may receive a call from the FA.

The Rams have leaked four at Spurs and six at Anfield in successive away games and Billy Davies admits some of his players have frozen on their introduction to the Premier League.

"We need to wake up, smell the flowers and work out what it takes at this level to win games,' said the Derby boss.

"We have come in from a very short rest period after the play-off final, picking up injuries, and one or two people are like rabbits in the headlights.

"But I am very confident that, like last season when we started very mediocre, we will turn it round. I'm not down about it at all. I've said for a few weeks that we won't start until the transfer window closes.

"I'll spend the next week or so watching videos, working hard on the training ground, putting pressure on physios to get people back and getting ready for what I regard as the start of Derby County's league campaign.

"Anyone who thought there were going to be no clouds and rain in the Premier League was taking the p***. There are clouds and there is rain but sunshine is on the way."

LIVERPOOL (4-4-2): Reina 7; Finnan 7, Hyypia 7, Agger 7, Arbeloa 7; Pennant 8 (Benayoun 60min, 5), Mascherano 9 (Sissoko 76), Alonso 8, Babel 8 (Voronin 72, 7); Kuyt 7, Torres 8.

DERBY (4-5-1): Bywater 6; Mears 5, Todd 4, Davis 5, Griffin 5 (Moore 79); Fagan 5, Oakley 5, Malcolm 4 (Teale 58, 5), Pearson 5, Camara 4 (McEveley 62, 5); Howard 6.

Booked: Griffin.

Man of the match: Javier Mascherano.

Referee: Alan Wiley.

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