Berger's strike seals fate of Liverpool
Porsmouth 1 Liverpool 0 [ Saturday 18 October 2003 ]
The visitors should have been in the lead seconds after the commencement of the game following Heskey's laid-back effort rebounded off the post after successfully losing his marker (Dejan Stevanovic) to latch onto Hadji Diouf's through-ball. But although it needed much better intervention by Stefanovic to end a twinkling run by Kewell, Liverpool looked out-played even before the end of the first half. However, danger arose very soon afterwards when Arjan de Zeeuw was fortunate to clear a Steve Gerrard free-kick off the line.
The crisis ridden Merseysiders fell victim to Patrik Berger's clinical 4th minute strike which put Pompey in the lead - Berger deftly stroked the ball past a desparing Jerzy Dudek after Sebastian Schemmel neatly collected a beautiful Sheringham cross-field delivery from the right flank to deposit itresoundingly to the near-post for the ex-Liverpool midfielder to place resoundingly in the back of the visitors net. How fitting that Houllier's humiliation came from Patrik Berger, a man he considered unworthy of a place in his squad.
In Berger Pompey have just the man for the big occasion. The man who led the Czech Republic to the Euro 96 final is still only 29 and still wowing the Fratton Faithful with his left-side midfield skills.
It was vital that Houllier's squad needed to desperately improve in the second half and for a while it seemed that their midweek encounter with Slovenia's Olimpija in the UEFA cup may have restored some of their confidence, after Jon Arne Riise latched onto a half-chance from a poorly cleared corner.
Then Heskey cut in to produce a marvellous save from Hisltop but a few diabolicle decisions by referee Steve Dunn whipped the Pompey fans into a frenzy and lifted the team's heart's again.
Berger once again needed no urging and put a beautiful ball into the path of Ayegbini. Although on this occasion the young Nigerian International could not capitalise on his good fortunte - moments later he launched an awesome 30-yard strike which richochetted of the cross-bar - a sure contender for goal of the season if it had found it's mark.
The Merseysiders were never happy when the ball was in their own half, though, and they were extremely fortunate not to concede a goal when Biscan headed a Schemmel free-kick against his own bar. Desperate to score themselves, the visitors sent on their promising young French attackers, Anthony Le Tallec and Florent Sinama-Pongolle in quick succession for the peripheral Vladimir Smicer and El Hadji Diouf.
The game ended as dramatically as it had started. No sooner had Yakubu begun a hectic last few minutes by thrashing a shot against the underside of the Liverpool bar, than Sinama-Pongolle was wasting two good chances to pull the fat out of the fire for his team. Twice the young Frenchman had a clear sight of goal and twice shot wide.
Without doubt Liverpool never appeared remotely superior to Pompey either physically, mentally, tactically or technically.
Portsmouth (4-4-2)
Hislop, Zivkovic, Stefanovic (Foxe 35), De Zeeuw, Schemmel, Berger, Quashie (Sherwood 90), Faye, Stone, Sheringham, Ayegbeni
Subs (not used) Wapenaar, Taylor, Roberts.
Booked Berger, Faye.
Liverpool (4-4-2)
Dudek, Finan, Henchoz, Hypia, Riise, Diouf (Sinama Pongolle 64), Gerrard, Biscan, Smicer (Le Tallec 60), Heskey, Kewell.
Subs (not used) Kirkland, Traore, Welsh.
Booked Diouf, Biscan.