Liverpool Echo: Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea

As Kenny Dalglish’s Liverpool FC players embarked on the traditional end of season lap of honour two words summed up the mood perfectly – if only.

Make no mistake this was the perfect tonic following the agony of FA Cup final defeat.

Rarely has gloom been lifted so swiftly and the standing ovation was richly deserved.

Dalglish had demanded his side provided a 'little bit of  solace' for supporters short-changed too often on home soil this season – and they  responded emphatically to their manager's call.

The Reds saved their best until last at Anfield as they demolished  Chelsea to exact at least a modicum of revenge for their FA Cup final defeat.

Yet there was a sense of what could have been.

If only this performance had been served up 72 hours earlier at Wembley.

If only the outstanding Andy Carroll had started that final.

If only it hadn’t taken until their final home fixture for the Reds to display the kind of ruthless streak fans had longed to see since August.

This classy display when the pressure was off offered a glimpse into what this season could have delivered, rather than mid-table mediocrity and the Carling Cup.

Forget the fact Chelsea fielded a much changed line-up.

Any XI they put out would have been overwhelmed by the intensity, desire and class Liverpool hit Roberto Di Matteo's side with.

Reds fans arrived wishing the season was already over and departed wishing it was only just beginning.

Their biggest league victory of the season lifted Liverpool back into eighth place and if they beat  Swansea City on Sunday they could still leapfrog Everton into seventh.

The four goals also ensured this wasn't the worst tally of home league strikes in the Reds'  history – it simply equals the 24 netted in 1903-04.

For some, like Maxi Rodriguez, this was farewell, but others wil lbe hoping it's only goodbye.

Certainly, the Kop spoke with one voice as they chanted the name of Dalglish towards the end.

Carroll simply carried on where he left off at Wembley.

He tormented and embarrassed John Terry from start to finish.

What a contrast to Liverpool's former No 9 who failed miserably on his return to Anfield.

Fernando Torres, whose every touch was booed, spent most of the night in Jamie Carragher's pocket.

Dalglish made four changes from his Wembley line up as Carroll, Maxi Rodriguez, Jonjo Shelvey and Carragher replaced Craig Bellamy, Steven Gerrard, Jay Spearing and Jose Enrique.

From the start the atmosphere was surprisingly upbeat.

The supporters were determined to enjoy themselves and it was soon apparent that the Reds shared that desire.

Suarez set the tone early on as he nutmegged Terry before dragging his shot wide.

Carroll then curled an effort over after an intelligent knockdown from his strike partner.

Liverpool were dominant and they soon made it count, but not before they enjoyed a huge let off.

Branislav Ivanovic should have put the visitors in front when he rose to meet Florent  Malouda's corner six yards out  but crashed his header against the post.

The Reds' response was emphatic as they blew Chelsea away with three goals in the space of 10 first-half minutes.

Suarez kick-started the rout in the 19th minute.

The Uruguayan picked up possession on the right flank and embarked on a mazy run which took him past Oriol Romeu and Terry.

His pull-back from the  touchline was bundled into his own net by Michael Essien.

Chelsea simply couldn't handle Carroll's physicality. Terry was booked for cynically halting him and the defender's torment soon worsened.

Rodriguez's pass was misplaced  but Terry's comical slip presented Jordan Henderson with a clear run on goal.

The midfielder has had critics during an underwhelming first season at Anfield, but this time he took the plaudits.

Henderson showed great composure to beat Ross Turnbull and end a goal drought stretching back to August.

Suarez's curler was tipped over and the incessant pressure was rewarded with a third in the 29th minute.

Shelvey's corner was headed back across goal by Carroll and Daniel Agger was on hand to nod home from close range.

Turnbull then denied Rodriguez and Carroll to save Chelsea from further embarrassment.

Torres was largely a passenger and when he did steal a yard of space the woodwork came to the Reds' rescue.

There was little respite for Chelsea as Stewart Downing displayed the kind of self belief so sadly lacking for much of the campaign.

The £20million winger sent a stunning dipping volley from 25 yards out crashing against the bar.

On the stroke of half-time Downing was presented with a golden chance to finally net a first league goal for the Reds.

Ivanovic somehow escaped with a yellow card for cynically elbowing Carroll in the box and Downing took responsibility from the spot.

He sent Turnbull the wrong way but the ball bounced back off the post and Carroll couldn't put away the rebound.

It was an historic miss, as for the first time Liverpool have spurned seven penalties in one season.

Early in the second half there was a sniff of a Chelsea comeback as Ramires was allowed to sneak in to convert Malouda's free-kick but by the hour mark Liverpool's three-goal lead was restored.

Turnbull's dismal clearance kick was pounced on by Shelvey who took a touch to steady himself and then emphatically finished into the unguarded net  from 30  yards. It was the  youngster's first Premier League strike.

Substitute Romelu Lukaku could have reduced the deficit but Pepe Reina thwarted him with a stunning save.

Dalglish rang the changes late on as Rodriguez and Downing made way for Raheem Sterling and Dirk Kuyt.

Liverpool should have added to their account but Sterling fired over before Suarez shot wide after a neat one-two with Kuyt.

The logo on the home shirts said 'Seeing is Believing'. It was fitting on a night when the frustration of failure was washed away.

Source: Liverpool Echo