Last-gasp Gerrard Goal Keeps 100% Record Intact

August 24, 2008

A dramatic 94th minute injury-time goal by Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard ensured that the Reds maintain their 100% record in the Premier League this season, however, just like against Sunderland last week, they were made to work hard for the victory against an impressive Middlesbrough side.

Liverpool were looking to improve on their performance against Roy Keane’s Sunderland last week, where a Fernando Torres goal gave the Reds an unconvincing opening-day victory. And indeed, the Reds started well, with Dirk Kuyt seeing his powerful shot parried by Boro goalkeeper Ross Turnbull in the opening minutes of the game. Turnbull was selected to play at the last minute after Middlesbrough’s No.1 goalkeeper Brad Jones injured a finger during pre-match training.

Middlesbrough’s best chance of the half came in the 13th minute, when young left-back Andrew Taylor saw his spinning left-footed shot tipped superbly over the bar by Pepe Reina.

The Reds’ new strike partnership of Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane looked increasingly more promising, with the pair combining to create two decent chances towards the end of the first half, the best of the two chances coming in the 39th minute as Keane dribbled past two players, slotted the ball to Torres who hit the ball disappointingly wide.

The half-time whistle blew, and despite Liverpool enjoying most of the possession in the first half, they couldn’t convert that possession into goals, as the two teams walked down the tunnel with the score goalless.

It was a quiet beginning to the second half, with the same old story of Liverpool having the ball for longer periods of the game, yet not creating any clear-cut chances. We had to wait quarter of an hour until the first decent chance of the half, and it fell to Middlesbrough’s Tuncay, as he collected the ball from a Mido cross, superbly spun the ball past Jamie Carragher with great skill, before shooting harmlessly into the hands of Reina.

However Middlesbrough were not made to rue their missed chances, as they took an unexpected lead in the 70th minute. A poor piece of play by Xabi Alonso allowed Boro to attack. Former Gunner Jeremie Aliadiere gave the ball to Mido, who fired the ball straight into the bottom corner from 25 yards; Reina had no chance. The Reds were shocked and shaken. They had only lost once at home in the league last season, and they were not prepared to lose their first home game of the new campaign.

Benitez threw on inexperienced Moroccan forward Nabil El Zhar in a desperate attempt to salvage at least a point from the game, however with five minutes to spare it looked as if Gareth Southgate and his players would leave Anfield with all three points. However redemption came for Liverpool from the unlikeliest of sources.

A Xabi Alonso cross from the right seemed to hit the hand of Gary O’Neill, however whilst everyone protested, Jamie Carragher collected the ball and fired the ball towards the goal. The shot seemed to be easy enough to save, before it took a wicked deflection off Boro defender Emanuel Pogatetz and hit the back of the net, completely wrong-footing the hapless Turnbull.

With scores level at 1-1, the Reds believed that they could go on and win the game in the last few minutes, and they nearly did in the third added minute of stoppage time, as Gerrard saw his brilliant free-kick from the edge of the area tipped over the bar in acrobatic fashion by Ross Turnbull. The Liverpool supporters were ready to leave the stadium, happy that their team had rescued a point. But that was not enough for Steven Gerrard. He wanted all three points. And he got them, with the last kick of the game.

Alonso delivered one last cross into the area, however Wheater’s headed clearence fell kindly to the feet of Gerrard, whose driving shot flew straight into the back of the net. The stadium erupted with delirium. The game was over; Gerrard had won Liverpool the game right at the death.

Rafael Benitez must be pleased that his side has won both games of the new season, however Liverpool cannot carry on winning by such tight margins if they are to finally win the league. People say that it is the trait of champions to play badly yet still win. However champions must also win games by playing well. That is something the Reds must learn.

Next up is a tricky trip to Villa Park to face Martin O’Neill’s quick, attack-minded Aston Villa side. However all eyes will be on Villa’s Gareth Barry, who has dominated the press this summer due to his proposed move to Anfield. It will certainly be an interesting encounter.

Gruffudd Owen

Aston Villa vs. Liverpool is LIVE on Sky Sports 1 on Sunday, August 31st @ 4 pm

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