Portsmouth win must be our benchmark - Liverpool FC's Ryan Babel

RYAN BABEL believes Liverpool's thrashing of Portsmouth has set the standard for the rest of the season.

Liverpool FC fans letters: Reds showed massive improvement against Portsmouth

THE performance against Portsmouth on Monday night was the best this year!

Hillsborough Memorial Service ticket details

THE 21st Hillsborough Memorial Service will take place at Anfield on Thursday, April 15.

MONDAY night's impressive demolition of Portsmouth at Anfield was the ideal start to a crucial week for Liverpool.

It was so pleasing to see us play the kind of attacking football that has been lacking in recent months.

It's easy to dismiss it as being 'only' Portsmouth, but they are FA Cup semi-finalists and can be dangerous on their day as we discovered at Fratton Park back in December.

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Last night, Liverpool Football Club began, yet another fight to try and reclaim fourth place and entrance into the Champions League. The game was against Portsmouth, who had earlier in the season beaten us at Fratton Park. There was of course the usual speculation in the press as to whether or not it would happen again, as the Liverpool team of late had been totally substandard. Portsmouth though as a club has their own problems at the moment, having been pushed into administration and this would in all probably affect the players, who knew that they could be sold if and when the administrator felt it necessary.

Anfield appeared to be rather empty as the television coverage started and it was noted that the Kop was extremely quiet. I guess, and any loyal supporter will tell you that Liverpool Football Club and players in many people's lives have become in a way like a mother worrying about a sick child. We have watched it lurch from one disaster to another as our league and European form has faulted. At this point in the evening it was anyone's guess as to which way things would turn out.

Kick off arrived and as the team come out as usual captained by Stevie G, the first mutterings of noise came from the Kop, but there was definitely something missing. Rafa Benitez had for some reason finally decided to throw caution to the wind and played an attacking team which included another rare start for Aquilani. Liverpool appeared to be very nervous as they started with high balls going everywhere and at one point it appeared that Reina was having problems. He seemed very jittery for a short time. The match continued with Portsmouth giving away several free kicks but the lads seemed to be unable to finish them and score that much needed opening goal.

Liverpool FC's Alberto Aquilani seals vital Reds win with a kiss

ALBERTO AQUILANI today revealed his delight at fulfilling a long-standing ambition - then promised to make his outstanding display against Portsmouth the norm.

Peter Kilfoyle: Liverpool FC could face financial ruin without new owners

OUTGOING Walton MP Peter Kilfoyle last night launched an attack on Liverpool FC's current regime and said the club risked "going down the tubes" if its ownership does not change.

DAVID RANDLES: Eye-catching Liverpool FC display raises Anfield spirits against Portsmouth

BEFORE a sombre mood was lifted by one of the outstanding performances of the season, a banner in the Anfield Road said it all.

Memorial coin to raise funds for Hillsborough Family Support Group

A MEMORABILIA company is to launch a Hillsborough Anniversary Coin 21 years after the tragedy.

WELL, then. Did you leave Anfield last night laughing after a performance that some described as "champagne football" or crying about what might have been?

There is no team in the Premier League that can 'do' erratic like Liverpool and last night, as they flattened Portsmouth with a crisp brand of passing, movement and goals, their Mr Hyde side - the one that has destroyed this campaign - was nowhere to be seen.

It was, of course, long overdue. You only have to cast a glance at the table to see how the Reds have underachieved and had they offered up a display similar to the monstrosity at the DW Stadium last Monday night, we would now be firmly in the midst of a crisis.

IT was the night when the Little Prince finally produced a performance fit for a King.

Alberto Aquilani has endured one setback after another during a miserable first season at Anfield. Injuries and illness left him playing catch-up and he has struggled to adapt to the physical demands of English football.

The £20million signing, who gained his royal nickname from the Roma fans who adored him, has been spotted only slightly more frequently than Lord Lucan and has been one of the Premier League's most expensive bench warmers. But at Anfield last night the Italian midfielder finally broke off the shackles and showed why Rafael Benitez thought he was worth splashing out half his summer transfer kitty on.

Rafael Benitez defuses Liverpool FC exit talk
RAFA BENITEZ today moved to defuse speculation surrounding his future as he insisted only a show of unity will turn Liverpool's ailing season around.

Blue Mondays don't leave Liverpool FC's Dirk Kuyt feeling down