Liverpool 3 West Brom 0

Last updated : 12 September 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Many Kopites have pointed the finger at new manager Rafa Benitez for bringing in too many new players after the season had started.

Fears were mounting that the Spanish chief's revamped squad would not gel in time to make a valid title challenge after Arsenal and Chelsea both raced out of the blocks with four straight wins.

Benitez has promised the Anfield faithful that a solid team spirit and success will come with time, but they may have to be patient as his all star new signings settle in on Merseyside.

Any claims that Liverpool have not found a team chemistry were quashed as Harry Kewell sparked the Reds into life.

The Aussie international was the key player in two early attacks which saw a flurry of deft passes between Steve Finnan Kewell and Steven Gerrard, culminating in Djibril Cisse having an open chance on goal.

But the French striker saw his attempt drift wide. Kewell, playing with a crocked calf muscle, looked confident on the ball and easily found openings for his team-matesThe Kop didn't have to wait too long for their first taste of Albion blood as Liverpool kept them firmly on the ropes.

Captain Gerrard linked up well with new arrival Luis Garcia on the edge of West Brom's area. A clever touched pass from the ex-Barcelona star left Gerrard open on goal, and despite mis-hitting his first shot, the hometown hero recovered to rocket a left-footed effort past Russel Hoult in the 16th minute.

Liverpool looked like a team possessed as they relentlessly continued their assault on the bewildered Baggies. Even Sami Hyppia got in on the action after sauntering forward for a corner.

Gerrard launched an expertly driven set-piece past three blue and white shirts, and the Finn met the ball with a solid header, only to be denied by Hoult's quick reactions.

The visitors looked as if they wanted the leave the pitch and only managed to create three shots during the first half.

An electric Finnan further punished the Baggies lacklustre performance just before half time.

The defender scored his first goal since November 2003 with a turn of pace that most strikers can only dream of.

Finnan raced past the West Brom midfield but was confronted by Paul Robinson on the right side of the area and he nearly broke his opposite number's ankles as he criss-crossed the ball and drove hard at goal.

But as Hoult charged out to narrow the angle, Finnan calmly stroked the shot under his legs to give the Reds a two-goal buffer.

West Brom enjoyed a brief spell outside their own half when they won a succession of corners after a Kanu header from the testing cross from Jeff Horsfield.

But Liverpool put their foot back on the gas moments later with a counter attack led by Garcia. The Spaniard charged full force and with his head down and fired at goal when he really should have passed to Gerrard, who was storming into the box unmarked, but instead he blasted the ball straight at the goalie.

West Brom were caught napping again in the 59th minute and this time paid the price by conceding a third goal.

Cisse passed back the ball to Gerrard and without looking up he found Garcia with one of his trademark 40-yard passes through two defenders. The newcomer had his first short blocked, but quickly reacted to tap in the rebound.

Liverpool completely mauled West Brom who all but waved a white flag in the second half.

Only the heroics of Hoult prevented the Reds from adding to their tally, in what could have easily been a six or eight-goal massacre for the battered Baggies.

Man of the Match: Luis Garcia - The pint-sized showed Spaniard flashes of skill which will make him a firm favourite with the club, but he also looked hungry to play and chased down loose balls and errant passes.