Liverpool 7 Southampton 1
by Paul Walker of the "Press Association" This was just cold blooded murder as Liverpool warmed up for their Cup crunch with arch-enemies Manchester United. Robbie Fowler smashed his second hat-trick of the season and took his total of League goals in his career to an astonishing 101. It could, and should, have been double figures for Gerard Houllier's men who were just in a different league - and will be next season on this evidence - from the shattered Saints. Old Evertonian Dave Jones, the Southampton boss, stood transfixed in his dug-out as the nightmare unfolded, knowing there was nothing his outclassed side could do to stop the slaughter. Last weekend Liverpool turned in a dogged, battling defensive display to claw a point from Arsenal at Highbury. This time they performed much more in keeping with Houllier's ideals of attacking, entertaining football. Just how good they were, or how bad Southampton were, is hard to decide. But next weekend at Old Trafford everyone will have a better idea. This display, however, did take them a step closer a UEFA Cup place that had seemed so unlikely a couple of months ago as their season plunged into turmoil. Houllier's influence, coupled with character, fitness and commitment, has turned Liverpool's death row season around. Fowler, after a season fighting to get himself back from a bad injury, looked back to his best with clinical finishing. Jamie Redknapp and Paul Ince ruled midfield, while Michael Owen scampered around creating space and chances for his team-mates. Southampton, who won 3-2 at Anfield last season, arrived desperate to build on their victory last weekend over fellow relegation battlers Charlton. But they did not have a prayer. Liverpool stretched their unbeaten run to six with a savagely destructive display. For much of the opening spell it was Owen against Southampton's back four and he could have had four in the opening ten minutes as he terrorised and ultimately softened Southampton up for the kill. It was hardly surprising when Liverpool finally took the lead after 22 minutes. Stig Bjornebye's left-wing corner was fumbled by keeper Paul Jones, and the ball dropped for Fowler to start the rout by firing in from close range. Fowler almost set up Jamie Redknapp with a goal after 28 minutes, laying the ball into the midfielder's path, with the first-time shot whistling inches wide. After 34 minutes Patrik Berger's clever pass put Owen in again, running at Jones. Owen got to the ball first, pushed it wide of the onrushing 'keeper, but could not turn quickly enough to put the ball into the unguarded net. But a minute later Liverpool did score again. Berger fired over another corner, and Dominic Matteo powered in to crash a superb header into the top corner, his first senior goal in 106 Liverpool matches. Two minutes later it was three. Owen laid the ball into the box for Fowler to take control and jink his way into a shooting position before firing the ball over the by now grounded Jones, the goal that clinched his century in 175 League matches for the club. Four minutes from the break Ince unleashed a ferocious drive from 25 yards that crashed against the foot of Jones' right-hand post. Fowler completed his hat-trick, his second of the season, when he headed home an Owen cross, unmarked ten yards out, two minutes after the break. The fifth came after 55 minutes. Redknapp fired in a fierce 25-yard free-kick that ballooned up off the diving Jones for Carragher to follow up and smash home. At that point Liverpool went to sleep. Egil Ostenstad pulled one back when he collected a pass from substitute Matthew Le Tissier and with Phil Babb standing off, drove his shot in off the far post. Two minutes later Kachloul found space in the box to strike a shot that hit the woodwork and bounced back into James' arms. However, Liverpool put an end to all this nonsense with a brilliantly worked sixth goal. Babb burst from defence and put Fowler away on the left, and when his cross came low into the box, Owen finally got his name on the scoresheet. With the United game on the horizon, Owen and Ince were replaced by Karlheinz Riedle and David Thompson. The little midfielder scored the seventh within a minute of coming on when he ran in to fire home after Jones fumbled another long-range shot after 73 minutes. Teams Liverpool: James, Heggem, Babb, Matteo, Carragher (Kvarme 79), Bjornebye, Redknapp, Ince (Thompson 73), Berger, Owen (Riedle 73), Fowler. Subs Not Used: McAteer, Friedel. Booked: Carragher, Ince. Goals: Fowler 22, Matteo 35, Fowler 37, 47, Carragher 55, Owen 63, Thompson 73. Southampton: Jones, Lundekvam, Hughes, Ostenstad, Howells (Oakley 62), Beattie, Bridge (Le Tissier 46), Hiley, Monk, Kachloul, Colleter. Subs Not Used: Dryden, Ripley, Stensgaard. Booked: Monk, Colleter, Hughes. Goals: Ostenstad 59. Att: 44,011 Ref: U Rennie (Sheffield).
