The Reds easily saw off West Brom at The Hawthorns thanks to first half goals from Charlie Adam and Andy Carroll. I have to say I was expecting it tougher than it was in the end and two nil flattered Albion more than us.
The day started with both Gerrard and Carragher out of the side with injury and it felt rather strange in a way - perhaps a new dawn for us to start getting used too and admittedly we never overly missed them for a change.
After a positive start by the Reds we won a penalty after seven minutes thanks to the lino who spotted a foul on Suarez and since it was in the box it was a spot kick. I've heard former boss Hodgson bemoaning it but if that happened in the centre circle a free kick would be given and just because Suarez was going out of the box with the ball doesn't come in to it.
Charlie Adam spotted the ball up though and sent Foster the wrong way as he calmly slotted the ball home for a great start and one that cold relax the side.
Albion for their part were never allowed to get going in the game and they looked out of sorts without Shane Long's pace up front.
Up front Andy Carroll was linking up well with Suarez and the start had clearly given him confidence. He looked like the striker we had bought in January and his play was a huge positive on the day.
We had another shout for a penalty and for me it was blatant this time. Andy Carroll met a cross with his head but it was blocked from going to goal by an out-stretched arm. Steven Reid had his arm well out in front of him and it stopped the ball from going goalwards but we never got this one for some reason.
As half time approached and our dominance had only resulted in a single goal you began to wonder if this was just another game typical of this season. Play well but don't kill a side of and pay for it after the break.
Just as the board had gone up though Lucas intercepted a ball and sent Suarez free down the right. He instantly sent a classy ball straight through for Carroll who took one touch before prodding it under Foster in to the empty net for a two goal lead.
This effectively killed the game off although I have to say I did want a third in the second half just to make sure we had it boxed off. Sides can look very different in different halves - especially the second after they get the team talk. As it happened we never got the third but Albion didn't react much either and the second half was easy enough for the Reds - once again we managed to hit the woodwork as well - ten times this season now.
The second half saw more chances for the Reds to score more without taking them and I guess when the game is all one way you can accept that a bit more.
West Brom went close just in to the second half when Tchoyi shot past the far post from the edge of the box but it was all very little from them.
At the other end Suarez was his usual self and creating nightmares for the defenders by peeling off here and there whilst Andy Carroll was a menace and that was good to see for the longer term because they looked like the understood each other a bit more.
As the half wen on it was looking more like a case of when and not if we would score again. Just after the hour Adam whipped a corner to the back of the box and Downing took it down well before firing wide across goal. Any touch could easily have poked it home but just as much with this was the alternative corner - so lacking over the past few years.
As the clock ticked on you got the impression that the Reds eased off a little to try and get that bit more space around them. Craig Bellamy replaced Luis Suarez with just under ten minutes to go.
The woodwork finally came in to play in the final minute of the game when Downing shot on goal and with Foster seemingly beaten it cannoned out of the foot of the post. If only Sepp Blatter had got his way a few years ago and made the goals bigger we'd have scored so many this season. It's getting closer but I guess hitting the woodwork is as good as smashing it high wide and handsome because it doesn't count.
MotM : Andy Carroll - for me he looked really settled in this game, got a goal and looked a real hand full all afternoon and of course he was pushed hard as always by Luis Suarez.
