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This is the match where the under-pressure players performed.

This is the match that showed what Liverpool are really about.

This is the match that exposes Chelsea’s lack of depth.

This is the match that could spell the end of Chelsea’s reign in English Premiership.

In Rafa’s 100th game in charge of Liverpool, he saw his side clinically finished Chelsea off in 20 minutes as he now holds the same record as Liverpool’s greatest manager, Bill Shankly, with 55 wins. With all the talks of Liverpool not being able to compete with the big boys (me included) and fail to finish team off clinically, this match clearly showed that Liverpool CAN mix with the big boys and have the ability to win them.

Perhaps taking the shine off the gloss was the fact that Chelsea have been missing several key players like Makalele, John Terry and inexplicably, Ricardo Carvalho. They started a makeshift defence of Paulo Ferreira and Michael Essien, which crumbled the moment Liverpool stepped up their gear.

Like, wow. Jermaine Pennant scoring? Am I dreaming? But seriously, what a goal. He hasn’t been at his best and many have doubted his ability. But today, Pennant put up a fantastic performance with his intelligent run and tracking back.

I think other than our clinical finishing, the thing that really separates us from Chelsea would have to be the hunger and passion. Liverpool wanted to win more and they came out all guns blazing.

You could see it in the player’s face. They wanted it real bad. They wanted to show to all of us that we can take on the big boys without problem. They tracked back, ran tirelessly and defended resiliently.

What’s more, a clean sheet for us. In fact, I don’t remember Reina having to do any work. Carragher kept Drogba very quiet while we have Aurelio and Finnan marking their wingers. They’re always on their back and made it difficult to play their normal game. They resorted to passing long balls but it made it all easier for Liverpool.

Their link between defence and attack were stifled by Gerrard and Alonso and with virtually no supplies to the front line, Chelsea found it difficult to get forward and Liverpool didn’t looked in danger at all.

It’s hard to pick a man of the match but to me, it will have to be Dirk Kuyt. His goal sets up an intriguing game and after that, ran his socks off (as always) and dropped deep to help out the midfield. Finishing might be poor at times but he scored the all important opening goal.

But the other 10 players were all pretty faultless and the fans were amazing. They made up the 12th or even 13th men on the pitch and surely, those singing and chanting are resounding within Cech’s scrum cap.

Link: Socca Critics