Compelling Soccer

Win Rating: 8- Expected Massacre

This one was what Liverpool was supposed to do. There were some tense moments after Hull City drew level as Liverpool's suspect defending again let them down. But Pepe Reina was there when necessary and it was only a matter of time before the brilliant Liverpool attack went back to work. And by "Brilliant Liverpool attack" I actually mean Fernando Torres. Three Torres goals later and Liverpool had more than enough to pick up three points.

By the end, this one ceased to be a contest after the fourth goal and devolved into bloodbath status for the final twenty minutes. Liverpool asserted dominance and Hull City was taken to the woodshed. Not one Phil Brown's crew will want to remember.

I of course was disappointed not to see Jozy Altidore get in until it was out of hand. I'm not even sure he touched it once, since despite being down by multiple goals, Hull City couldn't muster an attack.

This was a poor side though and as dominant as the win was, it remains to be seen what their defensive woes will do to them against the big dogs. We won't have to wait long; Fiorentina awaits Tuesday and Chelsea next weekend.

Match Ratings:

Pepe Reina, 8: He was let down by his defense on the lone Hull City goal and was confident off his line on their set pieces when Hull was pressing midway through the first half. He couldn't do much more for Liverpool, hence the 8.

Emiliano Insua, 7: Much like last week, Insua was more threatening in the first half, but he wasn't needed much in the second half with Liverpool expanding their lead. All of the full backs get a knock down because of the issues along the backline. It's probably more the center backs, but everyone bares some responsibility.

Jamie Carragher, 4: Completely out of position for the Hull City goal, I'm beginning to wonder if Carragher understands the scheme. Rafa is playing a zone marking system and Carragher has had positional issues where he simply isn't where he should be. It cost them against West Ham last week and it did this week. Something needs to give here with Fiorentina and Chelsea on tap.

Glen Johnson, 8: He'd have had a nine if not for my defense-wide deduction. He was all over the field and after not doing much in the first half, was up with the attack in second half. I feel he's a better defender than Insua and just as threatening in attack.

Lucas, 6: Ugh. Not an awful game, but he never seemed to be involved much. Granted he was in more of a defensive midfielder role, but he was less impressive in it than Javier Mascherano has been. It's possible I missed some of his contributions, but I wasn't impressed with today's effort.

Alberto Riera, 8: By far the best game I've seen him play this year. He was threatening on the wing and created chances, either with passing or winning free kicks. He also had a rocket shot that deflected off Babel for Liverpool's 6th goal.

Yossi Benayoun, 7: Not his greatest effort, but he had an assist on a goal. Overall Benayoun's name wasn't heard from much today and he only had one of his strong defense piercing runs. He's been so good lately, this one can be forgiven.

Steven Gerrard, 8: He had been playing at an average level until his goal, at which point he was rejuvenated. And what a goal it was. A shot from the left side, outside the 18 yard box, swung in, off the underneath of the cross bar and in. You couldn't place it better if you were doing it by hand. He could have had a second if a questionable call was not made. No matter, strong effort. He'll need more of his second half form with their upcoming opponents.

Dirk Kuyt, 8: Picked up an assist and worked hard, as usual. His delivery to Babel was spectacular but he also benefited from Hull City's defense breaking down. He had a nice rapport with Torres as usual though they were just off on occasion and off side on the other.

Substitutes:

Ryan Babel, 6: Two goals and he only gets a six? Yeah, because one of the goals I could have scored. (Literally, he wasn't even facing the play and the ball hit his shoes and went in) The second was a nice finish but the credit should go to Kuyt for the set up. Babel reminds me of a much more talented Robbie Rogers. He runs around a lot, seems to find the ball, but can't do a damn thing with it. He has the skills, but needs to get a better head on his shoulders.

Javier Mascherano, 5: Didn't seem to do much, but that could be because by the end, everyone on Liverpool was peppering the goal so he didn't stand out. He should see plenty of time in the next week with two tough games coming up.

Andriy Voronin, 7: He set up Babel right away with a chance, but the dutchman couldn't finish. He was active, running and had bad luck on a rebound when he launched a rocket that the defender blocked. He's doing well considering I doubt he has much of a place on Liverpool's side right now.

The Steven Gerrard Stand Up and Be Counted Award:

Fernando Torres: Out of ten, his match rating was 11. He was by far the best player out there. He could have had more. And he's not fair. Seriously, not fair. He can run, he's great with the ball at his feet, he can hold and he's great in the air. Amazing. And to think; he said he wasn't in form two weeks ago.

The Brian Ching Stand Up and Do Nothing Award:

Martin Skrtel. He's similar to Carragher right now and I could have put the Englishman here in his place. But Skrtel was also at fault on the goal with a very poor header to clear and then picking up a yellow card in the second half with a careless aerial challenge that gave Hull City a great opportunity just outside the 18 yard box. (Which they thankfully wasted) Rafa needs to do something about his center backs. Sloppy defending like that is not going to fly against the top dogs on the Premiership or Europe.

Entertainment Rating: 6-Above Average Fun: Admittedly, this is partially because I'm a Liverpool fan. If you support Hull, this game might get a 2. Why not a zero? Because I don't care who you are, you have to be impressed with Torres' goals and amazed by Gerrard's strike. You can't complain when you have strikes like Liverpool got from it's top two players in this one. You can complain about how lousy the game became in terms of competition in the second half and some questionable officiating.