THE NEW YORK ANFIELDER

The weekend trip to The Valley yielded a fully deserved 3-0 victory over relegation battlers Charlton Athletic. Goals came via penalty from Xabi Alonso in the 3rd minute, a rasping shot from Craig Bellamy in the 82nd, and a cool chipshot from skipper Steven Gerrard in the 88th minute. Liverpool dominated for large swathes of the game, and Charlton's unability to piece together flowing passing movements underlined why they are favorites for the drop if things stay as they are.
The first Liverpool goal came via a dangerous challenge from ex-Liverpool man Djimi Traore on Jermaine Pennant in the box. In addition to going into the referee's book, Traore conceded a penalty, which he could have no complaints about. Xabi Alonso duly converted the penalty, and the Reds didn't look back. True, there were some threatening moments, especially Andy Reid's shot late in the 1st half that Pepe Reina could only parry as far as the unmarked Hermann Hreidarsson. The Icelandic international proved why he is deployed at the back as his finishing from an unmarked position 6 yards from goal was pitiful. Hreidarsson's blasted effort proved to be Charlton's best opportunity to find a goal, and one of 2 or 3 rare challenges to Pepe Reina's goal.
Although Liverpool dominated throughout, with Dirk Kuyt going close twice and hitting the post once, the game was never comfortably secured until the 82nd minute. From a throw-in, Craig Bellamy beat his marker to the ball on the right side of the 18-yard box, turned, and volleyed inside the far post for his 3rd goal in 2 away matches. To put the exclamation mark on the day's work, Steven Gerrard fired a neat chipshot into the far corner of the net with 2 minutes left. The goal came after some neat build-up work, and left Charlton goalkeeper Thomas Myhre frozen in his tracks.

Man-of-the-match: Xabi Alonso - Alonso ran the show from midfield, working with Gerrard to disrupt Charlton Athletic attacks and providing a series of neat passes.

Player ratings:

Liverpool (4-4-2)
Reina - 6 - largely untroubled, but solid when called upon
Finnan - 7 - supported the attack well down the right flank
Carragher - 7 - dealt with the few forays that came his way
Hyypia - 7 - same as Carragher, not much to do
Riise - 6- a rather uneventful day for Riise
Pennant - 6- won the first penalty, saw a lot of the ball, but did not produce any moments of quality truly worth remembering
Gerrard - 7 - a more subdued day from the captain by his own standards, although his all-action displayed undoubtedly unsettled Charlton's midfield
Xabi Alonso - 8 - great work alongside Gerrard in the midfield
Gonzalez - 6 - whipped in a few dangerous crosses
Bellamy - 8 - a menace to the Charlton defense throughout the match, his goal was a worthy reward for his efforts
Kuyt - 6 - worked hard as always, although his passing and shooting was waywards

Subs:
Luis Garcia - 6 - hit a wicked volley on goal late in the game, otherwise, nothing really of note
Crouch - 6 - game on late, but provided the headed assist for Gerrard's goal
Fabio Aurelio - 6 - had little time to truly impact the game, but good to see him back

* Photo is taken from Liverpool FC's official website.