With the slim hopes of making fourth place in the league this had to be a win for the Reds. Slips in the league in recent weeks has made it almost impossible for Liverpool to qualify for Champions League football next season, because of this scenario you felt that priority was looking towards Thursday's match in Madrid where a chance of European silverware lies.
THE TEAM
More bad news on the eve of this match with the news that Liverpool's talisman Torres will miss the rest of the season seemed to have an effect on the support and the atmosphere. But as far as the team went I felt it was pretty strong, I was expecting N'Gog to play up front in place of Torres, good to see Benayoun starting, Mascherano was given a rest, but I was happy enough with the team in what could have been a tricky game with West Ham fighting for their lives.
THE MATCH
The game started very flat and at a very lethargic pace, you just felt West Ham were playing like a team with no confidence and Liverpool were thinking more about Thursday night's game. Although the pace of the game was very flat Liverpool were dictating the play and very comfortable in defence.
Then out of the blue Liverpool were awarded a free kick out on the right wing which Gerrard took quickly whipping it across the face of goal Benayoun made a good run into the box and deflected it in with the help of his stomach although the West Ham players were appealing for had ball but replays showed it clearly hit his stomach.
Liverpool stayed in control of the game after the opener whereas you would have thought West Ham would have shown a reaction from going a goal down. Liverpool scored a second goal before half time after good work from Maxi on the right playing a ball low into the box which was struck powerfully from David N'Gog into the West Ham net and puting Liverpool on easy street.
Livepool went in at half time two up and well worth the lead. The second half was played out in the same theme as the first with Liverpool controlling the game and the Liverpool defence getting as quiet a game as I've seen them have all season. With Gerrard pulling the strings in midfield it was he who set up Liverpool's third and killer goal when he whipped in an inswinging free kick which Kyrgiakos got a foot to about six yards out deflecting it onto the post and onto the unlucky Green and into the net proving that when your struggling thing go against you.
The rest of the second half was played out like a training game with the contest over and substitutions being made and both teams turning their attentions to their next games. Really comfortable night for Liverpool against a very poor West Ham team.
MAN OF THE MATCH - Gerrard - Thought Gerrard dictating things from playing deeper in midfield last night, getting more involved, everything good about Liverpool came from Gerrard and played two great crosses in for two of the three Liverpool goals. More like Stevie.
YNWA
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