News--Squad--Results--Fixtures--Opinion--Standings--Links--Club
Info
Reek
of the Week--Guestbook--Multimedia--Noarlunga
United--Interview
Match Report
More Heartache at Anfield
News--Squad--Results--Fixtures--Opinion--Standings--Links--Club
Info
Reek
of the Week--Guestbook--Multimedia--Noarlunga
United--Interview
Match Report
More Heartache at Anfield
Liverpool
2
Camara '51
Redknapp '89
Newcastle United
1
Shearer '68
Jamie Redknapp grabbed the crucial goal in the dying
minutes that maintains Liverpool's grip on a Champions
League place for next season. The midfielder has been
virtually inactive since November after knee surgery - just 14
minutes of action in two substitute appearances in
Liverpool's previous couple of matches his only efforts since.
And, with Liverpool struggling to breakdown a determined
Newcastle, who had clawed their way back level in the second
half, Redknapp was sent on with just 12 minutes to go.
It proved an inspired substitution as, two minutes from the
end of normal time, the England midfielder headed the goal
that was to give his side victory. Redknapp normally only
uses his head to construct flowing passing moves, but this
time he made sure Liverpool extended their unbeaten
home league run to 12 matches.
England boss Kevin Keegan was in the directors' box,
presumably to see Emile Heskey in his new surroundings
and to have another look at young Steven Gerrard and
Newcastle's Kieron Dyer. No Michael Owen, no Robbie Fowler
for the England coach to assess, and he probably wasn't
expecting to view Redknapp either.
But the Anfield skipper didn't waste any time to remind
Keegan that he wants to be a candidate for Euro 2000 and
he's fit, if not match fit, after four months of injury anguish.
It had looked like Newcastle's resilience would reward them
with a point until Redknapp struck.
Anyone who had much doubt that Newcastle are a different
proposition than a few months ago had them ended at
Anfield. Bobby Robson's side were well organised, clear in
their own minds about individual roles in the side and
showing commendable concentration. Their first-half display,
in particular, was impressive.
Marking duties, like Warren Barton on Patrik Berger, Gary
Speed on Gerrard and Robert Lee against Dietmar Hamann
stemmed the flow of any attempts Liverpool made at
attacking play, while there was always a covering defender
to contain the strengths of Heskey. The Geordies failed to
create much more than scraps for Alan Shearer and Duncan
Ferguson but then Newcastle were initially intent on a
blanket of destruction.
Liverpool had the ball in the net after just 10 seconds, and
many a referee would have allowed it. Sami Hyypia's long
ball out of defence found a battling David Thompson, who
marginally pushed Steve Howey in the tussle for the
dropping ball before firing it past Shay Given. Referee Paul
Durkin ruled the effort out.
It was very much a game of football chess from that point.
Heskey couldn't shake off Alain Goma, although he did
manage three excellent crosses on the run from the right
that - had Robbie Fowler or Michael Owen been out there -
would have been more profitable. Otherwise Liverpool
huffed and puffed and rarely got anywhere. Given dived at
Heskey's feet, saving at the second attempt, while the Irish
'keeper held a swirling Hamann free kick and a long range
drive from the German midfielder.
Sander Westerveld's only challenge was to get his fists
above Ferguson when anything high came into the Liverpool
box, and, in the first half, there were few instances of that.
Liverpool lifted their game after the break and, in the 52nd
minute, Berger found Camara, who sent Gerrard scampering
away before lifting a cross to the far post where Camara
arrived to clip the ball past Given.
Three minutes later Camara tried to repay the compliment
by sending Gerrard clear with a neat backheel. But the
midfielder tried to take the ball round Given, who scooped it
off his toes. One more now would have finished it and
Hyypia's volley from Thompson's corner saw Given fingertip
the effort over the top as Liverpool fought for the two-goal
cushion they needed.
But, after looking shaken by Camara's goal, Newcastle, with
Kevin Gallacher now on the right, clawed their way back into
the game after 68 minutes. Shearer, who had done precious
little to this point, met a long Aaron Hughes cross from the
left and nodded it down and in off the far post with
Liverpool's defence static. It could have been worse after 76
minutes when Gallacher found space on the right to fire in a
cross that was slammed against a post by Dyer.
Liverpool threw on Erik Meijer and then Redknapp to salvage
something with Newcastle looking comfortable. Danny
Murphy was next into the action with three minutes left, and
it was his right wing corner that saw Redknapp get a
connection to send the ball looping under the bar, where
Barton could only head it into the roof of the net.
Houllier had won the tactical battle with Robson after a
game of cat and mouse throughout. Now he is so close to
being able to pitch himself against Europe's finest next
season.