Source: SKY_Sports
Reds get back on track
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Liverpool got their title credentials back on track with a ruthless 4-0 thumping of Stoke City at Anfield.[LNB] The win is exactly the response manager Rafa Benitez will have wanted from his side following their opening weekend defeat to Tottenham on Sunday.[LNB]Stoke caused problems for the home side in minor spells either side of half-time but it was the influence of captain Steven Gerrard and new right-back Glen Johnson which ultimately proved the difference between the sides.[LNB]Two goals in the first half from Fernando Torres and Johnson sent the home side in at the break with a 2-0 lead despite struggling to deal with Stoke's aerial ability at times.[LNB]Gerrard was again instrumental in a fine Liverpool third after a great team goal ripped apart the away side as Dirk Kuyt slid in their third of the night.[LNB]Substitute David Ngog completed the rout in injury-time after more fine wing play from Johnson as Thomas Sorensen parried in the Stoke goal.[LNB]ChangesSpanish youngster Daniel Ayala made his full Liverpool debut, with Martin Skrtel failing to recover from a damaged jaw sustained in Saturday's defeat.[LNB]Ayala, 18, came on as a substitute at White Hart Lane for the injured Skrtel for his first senior appearance for Liverpool.[LNB]Yossi Benayoun replaced Ryan Babel, while Stoke made two changes from the side that beat Burnley - Glenn Whelan and Richard Cresswell replacing Liam Lawrence and Ricardo Fuller as Tony Pulis reverted to a more defensive system.[LNB]Liverpool fans' group, the Spirit of Shankly, organised a mass distribution of red cards ahead of the game to be waved by supporters protesting at the George Gillett-Tom Hicks ownership of the club.[LNB]Resentment runs deep at Anfield at the financial mess the club are in and Benitez's limited transfer budget.[LNB]But it was his record signing, Torres, who struck quickly to give the Reds the lead.[LNB]Lucas Leiva had seen a skidding 20-yarder held by Sorensen before Liverpool were ahead after just four minutes.[LNB]Gerrard burst through on the right to pull the ball back for his Spanish side-kick to drill past a helpless Sorensen.[LNB]Dean Whitehead was booked for an ugly 12th-minute foul on Javier Mascherano and Liverpool should have been two goals up when they broke at pace from their own box.[LNB]Torres racing away on the right to fire over a cross that full-back Emiliano Insua side-footed inches wide having made the same high-speed run down the other flank.[LNB]But Stoke maintained their determination and organisation, with Liverpool trying to hit them on the break. Much of the hosts' adventure was coming through Johnson.[LNB]Kuyt and Torres had shots saved and from a 44th minute corner they struck again. Kuyt's low header was blocked by Sorensen on the line and the ball fell for £17million signing Johnson to hook home from six yards.[LNB]Second-halfStoke came out after the break determined to get back into the game. A string of dangerous corners resulted in Jose Reina making an outstanding save to his right to keep out a fierce Delap drive.[LNB]Johnson then had to clear on the far post as a James Beattie cross-shot fizzed across the area.[LNB]But Liverpool increased the tempo of their game and were running at Stoke from all angles.[LNB]Gerrard fired in a 20-yard effort which Sorensen blocked, with Johnson now attacking down the right at every opportunity.[LNB]The Reds threatened to run away with things as Torres saw a lofted shot saved and Johnson cut into the box again to force Sorensen into a low save.[LNB]The third goal arrived after 78 minutes, with Johnson sending Gerrard into the box with a clever pass. The Liverpool captain powered on to drill in a low cross which Kuyt slid past Sorensen from close range.[LNB]Liverpool sent on Andriy Voronin and Albert Riera for Gerrard and Kuyt with nine minutes left, then three minutes later Ngog replaced Torres.[LNB]And it was Ngog who headed home from under the bar after another fine run and cross from Johnson had deflected into his path in injury-time.[LNB][LNB]LiverpoolTeam StatisticsStoke City4Goals021st Half Goals013Shots on Target35Shots off Target12Blocked Shots211Corners511Fouls90Offsides30Yellow Cards10Red Cards085.8Passing Success63.815Tackles1473.3Tackles Success78.676.4Possession23.660.7Territorial Advantage39.3
