Former Everton striker Ian Marshall returned to Merseyside in glorious fashion
when he scored in the 90th minute to send Liverpool crashing to their second
home defeat in four days.
Marshall, only in the side because Emile Heskey has a throat infection, got on
the end of Andy Impey's long ball and fired home past David James from 20 yards
for his first goal of the season.
That was the signal for thousands of Liverpool fans to file to the exits, and
they were joined a couple of minutes later by the rest of the 36,019 crowd -
Anfield's lowest in the Premiership this season by nearly 4,000.
Gerard Houllier's side had produced their second sub-standard home performance
in less than a week, following Saturday's 1-0 loss to Aston Villa, and they were
rightly jeered at the end of what was a tedious encounter.
The Reds had huffed and puffed their way through what was feeble fare before
Marshall's late strike sent the vocal visiting fans into raptures.
Liverpool's best chance fell to Steve McManaman, who blazed over from just
eight yards on four minutes after being found in space by Oyvind Leonhardsen.
Sean Dundee also fired wide from close range, but Leicester could have broken
the deadlock before Marshall scored as they had the better of things after
half-time.
Tony Cottee's shot was blocked by Dominic Matteo on the edge of the six-yard box
after the striker had got on the end of Steve Guppy's cross.
Cottee bundled another effort wide, and Matt Elliott saw a shot deflected off
target as the Foxes pressed for the victory which Marshall gave them.
The result means Leicester are now all but assured of their Premiership status
for next season, while Liverpool have not won for four matches and have only
picked up three points once since early February.
The visitors, with captain Matt Elliott imperious at the heart of their
defence, repelled their opponents' attacks far too easily for the Merseysiders'
liking.
In the absence of Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler, the Reds' strike-force was
distinctly off colour, and the Foxes back line possessed far too much know-how
for their opponents.
Liverpool's deficiencies were there for all to see, but Houllier was aware
well before tonight's display that he faces a massive rebuilding job in the
summer.
The 16 men on duty for the Reds this evening may have worn identical colours
and represented the same club which won four European Cups from 1977 to 1984 -
but there the similarities end.
This team - indeed, the whole squad - is a pale shadow of the one managed by
such greats as Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, and the days when sides like
Leicester would quake at the thought of coming to Anfield are long gone.
So, too, are the days when Liverpool would qualify for the last four of the
Champions' Cup, and it was perhaps apt that the loudest cheers of a mediocre
first half were reserved for news of Filippo Inzaghi's two early strikes for
Juventus against Manchester United.
And after witnessing such a sorry show by their own side, hearing their rivals
from down the East Lancs Road had won in Italy can only have added insult to
injury.
There was certainly little for either sets of supporters to make much noise
about before the interval as the game bore all the hallmarks of an end-of-season
affair.
Endless passes were misplaced, goalkeeping errors were not punished, and both
strike-forces were forced to live on meagre rations.
McManaman fired a 25-yard drive just wide, while the lively Leonhardsen had
two fierce volleys deflected away from the danger zone.
Paul Ince also went close with a crisply-struck effort, but Leicester also had
a handful of chances, and David James almost handed them a goal on two
occasions.
He made a meal of Neil Lennon's regulation drive and then fumbled a cross
before gathering the ball at the feet of Marshall.
Leicester dominated possession for long spells after half-time - much to the
home fans' disgust - but it seemed their efforts would go unrewarded.
However, Marshall popped up to give Leicester the win and send Liverpool's
supporters away even more disenchanted.
Teams:
Liverpool: James, Song, Carragher, Babb, Matteo,
Thompson (Dundee 67), Redknapp, Ince, Leonhardsen, McManaman,Riedle.
Subs Not Used: Kvarme, Staunton, Ferri, Friedel.
Leicester: Keller, Sinclair, Kaamark, Elliott, Impey, Savage,
Lennon, Gunnlaugsson (Campbell 55), Guppy, Marshall, Cottee.
Subs Not Used: Miller, Fenton, Zagorakis, Arphexad.Goals: Marshall 90.
Att: 36,019
Ref: G Poll (Tring)
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