NEWS : Liverpool 5-0 Aston Villa
Steven Gerrard broke the 20-goals barrier with his first ever league hat-trick, while Albert Riera and Dirk Kuyt sent the Anfield Road End into raptures with unstoppable efforts.
The local paper Steven Gerrard was the main man again, with a hat-trick of set pieces - two penalties and a clever free kick - which further underlined the fact that the Reds skipper is in the form of his life. He isn't the only one either with Alvaro Arbeloa putting in arguably the best performance by a Liverpool right back since Rob Jones made his debut, Pepe Reina stopping goals at one end and creating them at the other and Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso providing a formidable midfield axis. It was one of those days when virtually everyone in a red shirt contributed to a team display of the highest order with unsung heroes coming to the fore and standing shoulder to shoulder with the more established stars. Things are definitely stirring at Anfield right now, there is no question about that and the shockwaves are spreading throughout the Premier League, causing others to tremble as they realise exactly what is happening inside the Shankly Gates. Title dreams which seemed to have been choked in the Middlesbrough smog less than a month ago are having new life breathed into them. And there is now a genuine belief that while Liverpool may not yet have taken over at the top they are performing well enough and have the kind of momentum to make a previously unimaginable eventuality a very real possibility.
Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo
The broadsheet
The t-shirts on sale on the streets behind the Kop yesterday invited Sir Alex Ferguson to call "4-1-4-1-4-1" in case of emergency, but such is the pace of Liverpool's current title form that every week brings another famous victory to be commemorated. How about dialing "5-0-5-0-5-0" for Premier League champions? As the gap to Manchester United closes to one point, so the mood on Merseyside changes from brittle resignation to bold hope. This time of year it is usually only the devotional, the hopelessly optimistic and the plain mad who dare to believe that the title might be coming back to Liverpool. Now all Anfield has reason to dream their team might reclaim it for the first time in 19 years: they certainly have the momentum.
Sam Wallace, The Independent
The tabloid
Steven Gerrard led a rebirth at Anfield yesterday, not just of Liverpool's title hopes, but their nerve too. Rafael Benitez's side reproduced the passionate, attacking football that destroyed Real Madrid here 10 days ago, to reduce hapless Aston Villa to a similar state. It was an exhilarating sight, to witness this proud club unafraid to go for the throats of opponents, and take them apart. It may yet be too late for this bold new, attacking Liverpool to snatch the title from Manchester United's grasp, but the race is rejoined, and the Premier League has a real contest to enjoy. And who knows, if they continue to find such urgency, such verve, they could yet be champions.
David Maddock, Daily Mirror
The broadsheet
If high spirits could lift a side to the peak of the Premier League then it would be Liverpool's destiny to take the title. They have now scored a total of 13 goals in three matches against Real Madrid, Manchester United and Aston Villa. These, in theory, should have been gruelling fixtures. The opponents can be lambasted, but the current verve of Rafael Benítez's side must be appreciated. They are a point behind United, who have a game in hand, but Liverpool will be full of zeal now.
Kevin McCarra, The Guardian
The broadsheet
Liverpool gave themselves a fighting chance of a first title for 19 years by thumping United 4-1 the previous weekend, but that victory at Old Trafford would have counted for nothing had they slipped up against Villa. It says everything about Liverpool's tendency to shoot themselves in the foot domestically that many doubted if they would pass such a test, but as they chewed up and spat out Villa in the most merciless manner, it almost seemed laughable that Benítez and his players had been questioned. Their response was so emphatic that even a team with the experience of United must be wondering what they have let themselves in for and the champions will be in second place by the time Villa visit Old Trafford on Sunday week should Liverpool succeed where their rivals failed this weekend and beat Fulham at Craven Cottage the previous day. There is no doubting that the momentum is well and truly with Liverpool.
James Ducker, The Times
The skipper
It's important that we don't get carried away because Manchester United are capable of winning all their remaining games. We've got to focus on what we're doing, keep winning and keep on their shoulders and keep piling that pressure on them so that they're going into games knowing that we're ready to pounce on any mistakes that they make. Chelsea are there as well. They got beat on Saturday as well but there's Chelsea as well. When you win, it's good to win convincingly and everyone knows we're on a rich vein of form and confidence is high here but we're just taking each game as it comes.
Steven Gerrard
The player
We are closer to the top but it is best to just focus on how well we are playing. We have a lot of confidence now and I think we are performing at our best level. We have to keep going, build on the momentum of the past week or so and make sure we fight right up until the end of the season.
Alvaro Arbeloa
The boss
The team was doing well but it's true I am not totally happy because we could have scored more goals. We were playing against 10 players and had three or four more chances. It's really important to take them because you never know what's going to happen with the goal difference. Today it wasn't key but in other games it has been. I wanted more goals. It's an area we need to improve. Don't get me wrong, I am really pleased and happy. The players did a fantastic job but you can always improve.
Rafa Benitez
The opposition manager
We were well beaten by an exceptional Liverpool side. Liverpool have had two remarkable results before this game, beating Real Madrid and Manchester United - and they certainly did not need any help from us to achieve what they wanted.
Martin O'Neill
The fan
Sensational stuff, we are peaking just at the right time I can't believe how things have changed in the last 10 days. Dare we start to dream?
