Liverpool on the brink of CL qualification after dominant display

The Reds will secure a top-four finish if they beat relegated Middlesbrough at Anfield next Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp's men were under pressure after Arsenal had closed to within a point of them on Saturday, but they responded in style with their most dominant performance of 2017.

Daniel Sturridge opened the scoring on his first league start since January before Philippe Coutinho wrapped up the points with a quickfire double early in the second half.

Divock Origi put the icing on the cake as the travelling Kop celebrated a cherished victory in the capital.

Klopp was bold with his team selection as Sturridge and Adam Lallana replaced the injured Roberto Firmino and Lucas Leiva, who dropped to the bench.

There was an early scare when Jonathan Calleri picked out the unmarked Sam Byram, who drilled narrowly wide.

However, Liverpool soon settled and with Sturridge leading the line they looked much more potent than in recent weeks.

His movement stretched the Hammers' backline and shifting Coutinho into a central midfield role also paid off as the little Brazilian started to pull the strings.

Sturridge's 20-yarder tested Adrian before Joel Matip's downward header struck the bar.

Liverpool continued to probe. Coutinho darted menacingly into space but whipped his shot over the bar.

Sturridge then fired into the side netting after cutting in off the right flank but 10 minutes before the break he made no mistake.

Coutinho spotted Sturridge's intelligent run and picked him out with a sublime through ball. The striker skipped past Adrian and coolly slotted home.

Liverpool should have swiftly added to their account but Matip twice failed to hit the target after latching on to Coutinho's corners.

The Reds were cruising but on the brink of half-time they needed a huge slick of luck to stay in front.

Klopp's side failed to deal with Manuel Lanzini's corner and it dropped to Andre Ayew two yards out. The Ghanaian frontman looked destined to score but stabbed it against the post.

The rebound gave him a second bite at the cherry but, remarkably, he struck the woodwork again and somehow Liverpool survived.

Rather than sitting back on their lead, the Reds flew at the hosts after the interval.

Origi's strike was beaten away by Adrian, who then produced fine saves to deny Adam Lallana and Wijnaldum.

On 57 minutes the pressure told. Wijnaldum's spectacular volley struck the bar and Coutinho latched on to Winston Reid's clearing header. He weaved his way into space and drilled low into the bottom corner.

Liverpool had breathing space and just past the hour mark they bagged a third in controversial fashion.

The Hammers were demanding a penalty when Wijnaldum appeared to handle inside the box but Neil Swarbrick waved play on and the Reds countered to devastating effect as Coutinho skipped past James Collins and hammered home.

Origi's 25-yard piledriver then clipped the bar before Liverpool bagged a fourth goal on 76 minutes. Wijnaldum's scuffed shot dropped kindly for Origi, who converted from close range.

Source: Liverpool Echo

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