Liverpool waved goodbye to Steve McManaman and at last gave their fans
something to be pleased about.
Though this was the day that Manchester United clinched the Premiership title
and the first leg of their Treble dream, the Anfield outfit went to great pains
to show they are far from impressed.
It may be United's magnificent season, but Liverpool, even at the end of a
difficult campaign, at least have past glories to cling to.
The Kop was asked to hold up colour cards before kick-off, cards which drew a
picture of Liverpool's own Treble, won 15 years ago almost to the day,
consisting of the European Cup, League Cup and title.
Even the tannoy declared that the Reds have won the European crown four
times.
But that was the past.
At the end of a turbulent season, Liverpool and their fans had a chance
to celebrate.
They secured a seventh place finish, thus avoiding the embarrassment of their
lowest top flight position since being promoted back in 1962.
Liverpool confidently swept Wimbledon aside, leaving the Kop singing at the
end with the fans giving their team a standing ovation at the final whistle.
They went on a lap of honour, Robbie Fowler clutching Real Madrid-bound
McManaman's shirt, with Michael Owen running alongside them.
McManaman walked quietly at the back with his mate Fowler as the team moved
around the pitch, and as they reached the players' tunnel they all stood back
and applauded McManaman off on his own.
The smiling, waving enigma whom many believe has never reached his potential
was gone.
Houllier's men won this one with ease in the end, but not without the sort of
problems that Wimbledon always give teams.
Liverpool's inability to handle any sort of aerial attack these days was
always going to be tested by the Dons' tall strikers John Hartson, Marcus Gayle
and Carl Cort.
The examination came from the start and Hartson, Robbie Earle twice early on
and Cort with a far post header, failed to convert well worked openings.
Liverpool, though, were having one of those days when their passing game was
top notch and the mobility of McManaman and Patrik Berger stretched Wimbledon's
defence.
McManaman was determined to make his Liverpool farewell memorable. He worked
both wings with pace and good vision, and hit the bar with a flicked header from
Berger's cross after 19 minutes.
The first goal after 11 minutes came from a Paul Ince chip that saw Berger
beat the offside trap, chest the ball down before blasting an unstoppable shot
past Neil Sullivan from 12 yards.
Karlheinz Riedle should have scored after 40 minutes when he was clear in the
box from former Don Oyvind Leonhardsen's pass. But his shot on the turn brought
a fine reflex save from Scottish international Sullivan.
McManaman was still determined to stamp his name on his last Anfield match,
and he played a major part in Liverpool's second five minutes after the break, a
goal that effectively ended the contest.
Leonhardsen, who had an excellent game and is clearly trying to make a good
impression on Houllier, fought well on the right to win possession and cleverly
send McManaman away.
The winger got to the line and fed the ball into the six-yard box for Riedle
to force home on the near post.
Wimbledon looked resigned to their fate at this point, but with Phil Babb on
for the struggling Steve Staunton, there was still danger at the heart of
Liverpool's defence.
Hartson fought off Jamie Carragher to turn and drill a low drive wide of Brad
Friedel's far post.
Liverpool always looked more likely to unlock Wimbledon's defence again, and
it was Ince - for the third home game on the trot - who raced into the box to
stretch and turn home an excellent Dominic Matteo cross after 64 minutes.
Matteo has been one of the more pleasing aspects of Liverpool's end-of-season
efforts. He has been more confident at left back.
He was constantly on the overlap with fine runs and crosses, and looks to have
solved one of Houllier's summer problems.
Friedel, too, does not want to go despite a constant stream of speculation,
and his fine plunging save to his left from Kenny Cunningham's drive underlined
why he's only been on the losing side once in his last five games of the term
since David James was axed.
Liverpool wanted more now, seemingly hoping that a last day hatful might cloud
the memory of their sins earlier in the campaign.
The Kop warmed to the efforts of Leonhardsen and Berger, the latter testing
Sullivan with a fine low drive with 18 minutes left.
McManaman was given the honour of a very private farewell with 16 minutes
left.
Seemingly prearranged, Houllier went to the line and motioned McManaman from
the field, putting David Thompson on.
McManaman, who chose to leave English football for the riches of the Spanish
League, was allowed the chance to take a standing ovation, wave and applaud to
all four sides of the ground.
He hugged Thompson and Houllier, and there ended an Anfield career that has
thrilled and infuriated, but has never been anything but exciting.
Teams:
Liverpool: Friedel, Staunton (Babb 46), Song (Heggem 85), Matteo,
Carragher, Berger, Redknapp, Ince, Leonhardsen, McManaman,
Riedle, Babb (Thompson 74).
Subs Not Used: James, Bjornebye.
Booked: Riedle, Babb.
Goals: Berger 12, Riedle 50, Ince 65.
Wimbledon: Sullivan, Kimble, Perry, Blackwell, Cunningham,
Kennedy, Earle, Roberts, Cort (Hughes 69), Hartson, Gayle.
Subs Not Used: Heald, Leaburn, Castledine, Francis.
Booked: Roberts.
Att: 41,902
Ref: N Barry (Scunthorpe).
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