THE NEW YORK ANFIELDER

I'm really glad that it wasn't only me who smelled blood before this match. The Liverpool players knew it as well, and played as if they sensed Chelsea's vulnerability. With both of their first-choice central defenders unfit, midfield ballwinner suspended, and turmoil at the club surrounding an apparent row between gaffer Jose Mourinho and the Chelsea board, the time was ripe for Rafa Benitez's troops to record their first-ever league points against the West London outfit. In a game where both sides felt the pressure to win, I admit to fearing that the game would end in a draw as neither side would want to lose. Luckily, Liverpool scored the all-important first goal inside the first four minutes of the game and placed doubts in the back of Chelsea minds. With Jermaine Pennant's screamer to follow fifteen minutes later, the task seemed almost impossible for Chelsea. In the end, 2-0 was the scoreline - the game was subdued but satisfying, and shift the media's inquiries for the upcoming week from Anfield to Stamford Bridge.
Man-of-the-match: Jamie Carragher. Dirk Kuyt is a close second, but Carragher was outstanding in defense as he shackled Didier Drogba. Drogba, with his flailing limbs and superb strength, was always going to be a handful, but Carragher answered every question asked of him by Drogba.

Player Ratings:

LIVERPOOL

Pepe Reina - 6 - not much to do really
Steve Finnan - 6 - looked shaky at times, including almost giving away a penalty to Wright-Phillips and nearly giving the ball away to Kalou in the penalty area
Jamie Carragher - 9 - long ball created first goal, masterful display neutralizing Didier Drogba
Daniel Agger - 7 - another pleasing display in a line of consistent performances
John Arne Riise - 8 - looked a man on a mission to score
Jermaine Pennant - 8 - one of his better displays in a Liverpool shirt, fine volley
Steven Gerrard - 8 - another steady performance in the middle pulling the strings, made a few nice runs
Xabi Alonso - 7 -solid outing
Fabio Aurelio - 6 - starting to find his feet in the Premiership
Peter Crouch - 7 - gave Chelsea headaches with his ability to win long balls
Dirk Kuyt - 9 - brilliant, all-action display and a crucial goal
Mark Gonzalez - 6 - cameo appearance
Craig Bellamy - 6 - see Mark Gonzalez

CHELSEA

Petr Cech - 6 - predictably rusty after long lay-off
Geremi - 5 - below-par
Paulo Ferreira - 5 - you could tell central defense was not his natural position
Michael Essien - 6 - some decent defensive work, but struggled with Liverpool's frontmen
Ashley Cole - 5 - should've closed down Pennant before his goal
John Obi Mikel - 5 - anonymous display in midfield
Michael Ballack - 4 - aside from some petulance, failed to shine
Frank Lampard - 6 - tried to make things happen
Solomon Kalou - 5 - looked raw
Didier Drogba - 6 - dangerous but well-marked
Arjen Robben - 4 - off-early due to injury, didn't do much
Shaun Wright-Phillips - 7 - only player with initiative and urgency to create
Andriy Shevchenko - 5 - anonymous 17-minute appearance

(photo taken from the Fox Sports World website)