Source: Liverpool_Echo
Roy Hodgson happy to let someone else Av it - James Pearce’s Liverpool FC analysis
Roy Hodgson 300[LNB]ANGRY fans calling for their manager to be sacked and a club legend installed in his place. It was an all too familiar situation but this time the spotlight wasn't on Roy Hodgson.[LNB]As Avram Grant felt the full force of West Ham supporters' fury at their side's limp display on Saturday, Hodgson enjoyed the most relaxing 90 minutes of his turbulent four months in the Anfield hot seat.[LNB]Seven days earlier the Reds boss had to endure chants for Kenny Dalglish to replace him from a section of the travelling Kop after a desperate performance at Stoke. This time there were no complaints.[LNB]Liverpool bounced back from that chastening experience at the Britannia Stadium in style with a dominant display.[LNB] A ridiculously one-sided contest was settled before the break with some blistering attacking football and the only negative was that the Reds missed the chance to really give their goal difference a shot in the arm.[LNB]Playing at a high tempo and moving the ball at pace, Liverpool shrugged off the loss of Steven Gerrard to tear the hapless Hammers apart.[LNB]There were positives for Hodgson in all departments on the day when the supporting cast finally rose to the challenge and made up for the absence of their inspirational skipper.[LNB]The manager insisted his recent criticism of Glen Johnson had been blown out of all proportion and that the media had been causing 'mischief'.[LNB]However, Hodgson's honest assessment of the full-back's poor form so far this season certainly had the desired effect.[LNB]Johnson played like someone with a point to prove on his return to the side after injury.[LNB]The man of the match terrorised West Ham down the right all night, took his goal expertly and gave Liverpool the kind of energy and attacking intent from wide areas which was sadly lacking at Wigan and Stoke.[LNB]In the centre of the park Christian Poulsen and Raul Meireles ensured Gerrard and the suspended Lucas Leiva weren't missed.[LNB]For Poulsen, making his first league start since the defeat to Blackpool in early October, this was a first step on the road to redemption. The Dane, who has struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League, finally looked at home.
