Liverpool cruise to victory

Liverpool 4 Sheffield Utd 0:Liverpool rested seven of their Nou Camp heroes from the starting line-up — and still cruised to a victory that stretches their unbeaten home league record to 30 matches.

They were helped by two penalty awards in the first period, both converted by Robbie Fowler, for fouls on Steven Gerrard.

Liverpool added second-half goals by Gerrard and Sami Hyypia as they stepped purposefully from the glamour of their victory over Barcelona to a bread-and-butter destruction of the Yorkshiremen.

Boss Rafael Benitez was able to include goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek, making his first Premier League start of the season, and Fowler his third.

Javier Mascherano came in for his debut, while Craig Bellamy was not even on the bench. Likewise Jose Reina, allowing Italian Under-21 goalkeeper Daniele Padelli his first taste of senior action as a substitute.

United were without suspended pair Keith Gillespie and Leigh Bromby.

Liverpool were given a helping hand as they dominated possession, with two penalties in a five-minute spell.

The first came on 20 minutes after Peter Crouch had been carried off with blood pouring from a head wound, courtesy of Hulse's boot.

But that was not the incident that made referee Steve Bennett point to the spot. Seconds earlier Rob Kozluk was spotted grappling with Gerrard, pulling him to the ground. After Crouch's eventual departure, Fowler stepped up to drive home the penalty.

And it got worse for the Blades. Dirk Kuyt was on as substitute for Crouch and with his first touch he headed the ball into Gerrard's path in the box, the Liverpool skipper being pulled back by Nick Montgomery.

Referee Bennett pointed to the spot again, and Fowler this time sent Kenny the wrong way for his third goal of the season.

Before the re-start, Kozluk was replaced by Colin Kazim-Richards. And the Blades had to make another change on 30 minutes when Chris Lucketti went off with an ankle injury, Chris Morgan taking over.

The Blades gave it a go at the start of the second half. Montgomery misdirected a header wide from eight yards and Dudek needed to rush from his line to dive at Stephen Quinn's feet.

But Liverpool were in control without being at full throttle. Gerrard fired a 20-yard shot wide and Fowler saw a header bounce wide from Pennant's cross, with Gerrard waiting behind him in a much better position.

Hulse had a close-range chip ruled out for offside, while at the other end John Arne Riise fired a fierce 30-yard shot over the angle.

Liverpool made absolutely sure of the points with two goals in three minutes.

On 70 minutes when Pennant's corner hit Morgan in the box, Hyypia was on hand to fire the ball home off Kenny"s hands.

Then three minutes later a Fowler pass found Gerrard free in the box, and he drilled a fine shot into the far corner. Xabi Alonso replaced Gerrard before the re-start and Daniel Agger came on for Jamie Carragher soon after.