Zenit Warned as Liverpool Thrash Swansea at Anfield

Liverpool give out serious warning to Zenit by thrashing Michael Laudrup’s Swansea at Anfield. Brendan Rodgers’s side were a point and two places below his former club coming into this fixture but what followed was a mesmerizing performance by the merseysiders.
Liverpool dominated the entire contest but it took them 30 odd minutes to take the lead. A penalty was awarded after Kemy Agustein brought down Luis Suarez in the box. Referee Howard Webb had a long think about it before pointing to the spot. Replays suggested that he got the decision right.
Steven Gerrard, who missed a penalty last Monday against West Brom in front of the Kop, made no mistake this time and scored his 7th league goal of the season. The match went into the break at 1-0 but that goal was perhaps what Liverpool needed to open the floodgates and they came firing in the second period.
Liverpool dismantled Swansea inside opening 16 seconds of the restart as Luis Suarez set up a memorable moment for new signing Coutinho who scored his first goal for the reds on his full debut. Vorm got a piece of the Brazilian’s shot but not enough to keep the ball out.
Swansea were completely outplayed and they conceded again almost immediately. A peach of a goal from the reds, brilliant tiki taka football and the final touch was provided by Jose Enrique to triple Liverpool’s advantage. A potential goal of the season candidate as Swansea were left chasing shadows once more against ruthless Liverpool.
It got even worst for the visitors as they conceded 3rd goal of the half in just 11 minutes when Suarez went solo, rounded two defenders and calmly slotted the ball in the net to make it 4-0 for the home side. That was his 23rd goal of the season and 18th of the premier league campaign.
Liverpool were not finished yet as in the 70th minute they were awarded another penalty. Wayne Routledge handled Enrique’s cross in the box much to the shock of the travelling fans. Only Routledge can explain what he was trying to do there. Gerrard allowed Sturridge to take the spot kick and he eventually scored his 5th Liverpool goal, remarkably in his 7th game.
Next up, Reds will face Zenit in the second leg of Europa League on Thursday. Liverpool trail 2-0 from the first leg and only a similar performance like yesterday’s can ensure them qualification to the next round. Surely, at Anfield, Liverpool hold stronger cards.