Benitez satisfied as Reds humble Villains

BEHIND a devastatingly impressive first-half performance from Liverpool, and hugely satisfying afternoons for manager Rafa Benitez and his Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt, lay an interesting, almost unnoticed statistic.

Steven Gerrard clocked his 15th outing of the season for Liverpool without a single goal to his account, not an alarming statistic when goals are coming from other areas, but a telling fact when one considers that at the same stage of this season he had nine to his credit.

The frustration of the England midfielder was evident when he hit the post after the break, then suffered an injury and had to limp around the pitch before being replaced by Robbie Fowler nine minutes from time. But at least he had the consolation of having played a decent part in a comfortable Liverpool victory and left the ground with the resounding endorsement of his manager.