Match Report: Liverpool v Derby County by Bing Loon

After securing our second away win of the season at the Stadium of Light, confidence was high and some had bravely predicted a ‘pesta gol’ against another recently promoted side – Derby County.

The Rams started the match really well by constantly pressuring our
boys when we had the ball and the first half hour was scrappy to say the least. Just when the assembled souls at Mbar began venting their frustrations at an increasingly victimised screen, Xabi Alonso curled in a freekick from 40 yards which evaded everyone’s touch before reaching the back of the net. A thoroughly well deserved and well timed slice of luck (lest we forget, championships are not won without a massive helping hand from lady luck).

Last action in the first half also had Derby keeper picking the ball out of the net again. Goal number two came courtesy of some sublime skill from Ryan Babel who was having a relatively quite game till then. After receiving the ball inside the box, Babel dummies two defenders and with a body-popping drop of the shoulder sent the keeper the wrong way before lashing a shot into the top left hand corner!Floodgates then opened in the second half. Torres used his unnerving acceleration to great effect as he beat three Rams before picking his spot with his weaker peg for his 1st goal infront of the Kop. Number four arrived via Alonso again as he side footed a loose ball from the edge of the box after Benayoun had been brought down with a crunching tackle. Before the shouts of "penalty!" could be heard, ball was nestled inside the Derby goal.

Sub Voronin also joined the party with virtually his first touch as he pounced on a rebound after Derby keeper could only parry a stinger from the tireless Dirk Kuyt. Rout was completed when Torres robbed a clumsy Rams defender who let a back pass stray a little too far; our record signing pays back another chunk of his transfer fee by coolly walking the ball into the net after rounding Derby’s hapless goalie.

The only low point of the night was the somewhat disappointing attendance at MBar. We will put it down to the long weekend and many balik kampong, holiday etc. But here’s hoping to more results like this and a better turn out for future games. Remember, WE NEVER WALK ALONE, so calling all you Reds out there, stand up and be counted.