Roy Hodgson celebrated his first home game as Liverpool manager by watching his side cruise into the play-offs of the Europa League with a 2-0 victory over FK Rabotnicki.
First half goals from David Ngog and Steven Gerrard secured a 4-0 aggregate victory over their Macedonian opponents as the Reds booked their place in Friday's draw for the next play-off round of the competition.
With Liverpool's four English World Cup players named in the starting line-up - including a home debut for Joe Cole - there was a buzz around the stadium before kick-off, while the inclusion of Spanish starlet Dani Pacheco added further to the feel-good factor which has been enveloping the club over recent weeks.
Liverpool - backed by an enthusiastic home crowd who had turned out in their thousands despite the first leg cushion - started on the front foot and had the ball in the net after just seven minutes, but David Ngog was flagged offside as he bundled the ball home following a rampaging run by Glen Johnson.
The French striker should have opened the scoring four minutes later when set through on goal by Steven Gerrard, but visiting goalkeeper Bogatinov made a smart stop as Ngog delayed his shot.
With Hodgson's men enjoying total control and playing some eye-catching football, Pacheco and Gerrard both tried long range efforts before the opening goal finally arrived after 21 minutes.
Ngog - whose two goals last week put the Reds firmly in control of the tie - broke the deadlock on the night with a fine header from Cole's deep left wing cross.
Cole the provider almost turned into Cole the goalscorer minutes later, but his curling effort from the edge of the area curled just the wrong side of the woodwork.
It was only ever going to be a matter of time before the second goal came long, and it duly arrived six minutes before the break when the lively Ngog was fouled in the area and Gerrard stepped up to confidently stroke the penalty into the corner of the net.
Milan Jovanovic, another player in red making a home debut, stung the fingertips of the Rabotnicki goalkeeper with a well struck drive early in the second period as Liverpool picked up where they left off at the end of the first period with wave after wave of attacks.
Cole twice went close to opening his Liverpool account in the early stages of the second half, while Johnson drilled a long range drive over and Ngog headed tamely at Bogatinov when well positioned.
Pacheco, fresh from starring for Spain's Under-19s over the past few weeks, almost added the third of the night when he steered Jovanovic's pass wide of the upright and Martin Kelly, who was also celebrating today after being named in the England Under-21 squad for the first time, also went close with a well struck drive as the home side continued to completely dominate.
Steven Gerrard and Milan Jovanovic were replaced soon after by Alberto Aquilani and Maxi Rodriguez, but the procession towards the Macedonian goal continued as Cole again tested the goalkeeper with a low shot after clever movement inside the box.
Shots continued to rain down on the visitors goal, with Rabotnicki content for the most part to abandon any sense of attacking adventure and instead concentrate on damage limitation and ensuring they didn't suffer a heavy defeat.
In their only attack of note in the second period, the Macedonians almost snatched a late consolation when Kelly conceded a corner with a brilliant goalline clearance and then from the resulting kick Wandeir struck the base of the post.
In the end Liverpool's complete dominance wasn't reflected in the final scoreline, but doubtless Roy Hodgson will have been more than satisfied with the performance of his men on his first Anfield outing - and now all thoughts can focus on the big kick-off next weekend when Arsenal arrive on Merseyside.
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Match report courtesy from LiverpoolFC.tv
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