Steve McManaman finally came good for Liverpool supporters to inspire
Liverpool to a great comeback against Tottenham at Anfield.
After criticism for his performance for England against Hungary in midweek,
McManaman bounced back to rally the Reds in two devastating minutes of the
second half.
The north Londoners had strolled to a comfortable 2-0 lead at half-time with
defender Jamie Carragher suffering particularly, with a 13th minute own goal
followed by an error which lead to Steffen Iversen's 12th goal of the season.
But after Tottenham defender Mauricio Taricco was sent off two minutes from
the break, Liverpool and the Real Madrid-bound McManaman seized the initiative
and secured a terrific fightback to end their recent poor home run.
Jamie Redknapp rammed in a penalty four minutes after the interval following
Ian Walker's late challenge on Karlheinz Riedle.
Thirteen minutes from time, McManaman provided Redknapp with a short ball
which was crossed for the glancing head of Paul Ince.
Two minutes later, McManaman put his own name on the scoresheet with a curling
strike from the edge of the area.
But it had looked to be a bad afternoon for McManaman who was never in the
game in the first 70 minutes.
Then suddenly he was alive and Liverpool recovered with style.
But it was a frustrating first 45 minutes for Liverpool fans with Carragher at
fault for both of Tottenham's goals.
The Liverpool defender could only poke Steffen Iversen's 13th minute cross
between Brad Friedel's legs with Chris Armstrong threatening.
Then 10 minutes from the break, Carragher misguided a clearance straight to
Jose Dominguez who raced goalwards before Bjorn Tore Kvarme was forced into a
rash challenge.
Darren Anderton sent over a pinpoint free-kick to Iversen's head and he needed
only to touch the ball to make it 2-0.
Tottenham boss George Graham left both David Ginola and Tim Sherwood on the
bench but against a side which lacked so much confidence, the respective talents
did not seem missed.
Liverpool were not without their chances in the first period but without
Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler, penetration was minimal.
Liverpool wasted a great chance to draw level in the 32nd minute. Riedle was
held down by Nilsen and referee Stephen Lodge awarded a free-kick 20 yards from
goal which Steve Staunton promptly drove into the arms of Walker.
Taricco joined Riedle in the book for a foul on Oyvind Leonhardsen in the 39th
minute.
Liverpool needed all the breaks they could muster and referee Lodge became the
surprise Father Christmas when he controversially, dismissed Taricco for a
seemingly innocuous challenge on McManaman two minutes from the break.
Four minutes into the second period, the home side were back in the game.
Dominic Matteo played a ball through to Riedle, Walker raced from his line and
the German fell to the floor under the challenge.
Redknapp stepped up and placed the ball past Walker to make the score 2-1.
Liverpool's confidence soared and Ince went close with a drive in the 52nd
minute.
On the hour, Redknapp should have equalised but his drive from Staunton's
corner was deflected away from goal by team-mate Thompson's outstretched leg.
Thompson nearly made amends when he rounded Anderton on the edge of the area
to find space but his shot flew over the bar.
Then McManaman finally brought some cheer to the Anfield fans.
He won a corner off Stephen Carr before laying the ball off to Redknapp. The
England midfielder played the ball into the area where Ince glanced the ball
beyond Walker to equalise.
Two minutes later, McManaman put Liverpool ahead. Collecting a cross from
substitute Rigobert Song on the edge of the area, the Spain-bound player curled
a ball around Walker to send the Kop wild.
Teams:
Liverpool: Friedel, Kvarme (Gerrard 45), Carragher, Staunton,
Matteo, Thompson (Bjornebye 88), Redknapp, Ince,
Leonhardsen (Song 75), Riedle, McManaman.
Subs Not Used: James, Dundee.
Booked: Riedle.
Goals: Redknapp 49 pen, Ince 77, McManaman 79.
Tottenham: Walker, Carr, Campbell, Clemence (King 45), Taricco,
Dominguez (Fox 81), Freund (Sherwood 67), Nielsen, Anderton, Iversen, Armstrong.
Subs Not Used: Baardsen, Ginola.
Sent Off: Taricco (44).
Booked: Armstrong, Taricco, Walker, Freund.
Goals: Carragher 13 og, Iversen 35.
Att: 44,007
Ref: S Lodge (Barnsley).
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