Liverpool ruined Michael Owen's Anfield return

loveuamy · Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2005 1:33 pm

26 Dec 2005 Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle - EPL

Rafael Benitez has made two changes to the squad that started the Club World Championship Final against Sao Paulo in Japan. Sissoko, who was suspended, and Warnock made the way for Crouch and Riise.

Liverpool:
Reina,
Finnan (Josemi 78min), Hyypia, Carragher, Riise,
Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Alonso, Kewell (Sinama Pongolle 67min),
Crouch (Cisse 72min), Morientes

Quote:

A cross from the right by Garcia was played into Gerrard's path by a deft touch from Crouch and the captain did the rest, finding the top corner with a rasping right-foot drive. Two minutes before the break Kewell picked out Crouch with a pinpoint delivery from the left and the big man's towering header squirmed past Given and over the line.
Bowyer's late tackle on Alonso saw the game explode into fury and a mass brawl threatened to break out as players from either side squared up to each other before Bowyer was sent off after 66 minutes.

Predictably, all the pre-match hype had surrounded former Red Owen's first appearance at Anfield since his move to Real Madrid in August 2004 but it was the current Liverpool stars whose praises were being sung loud and proud by the Kop at the end of this memorable festive fare.
It's a result that extends Liverpool's winning run in the Premiership to eight games and maintains their unrelenting pursuit of the league leaders, showing no ill-effects from their recent grueling jaunt to Japan.

(summarised from Liverpoolfc.tv)

Match reactions:

Rafa: "I am happy with the performance of the team but we should have scored more goals and their goalkeeper played very well."
"We did a sound job at the back. Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher were excellent and they did not allow Shearer or Owen any chances."
"We know he (Owen) is a dangerous player but we were able to control him."

Souness: "In the first half Liverpool were magnificent and we were poor. They had some outstanding performers especially the two in central midfield of Alonso and Gerrard.
"We were totally overrun in the first half and I have no complaints about the result. In the second half we started to chip away without creating and we didn't get any service to Michael Owen which was disappointing."

Gerrard unhappy at Owen reception
Gerrard: "I am disappointed. He should be a legend here for all the goals he has scored for us in the past."
"He got a mixed reception. I do not think they were booing him much but he deserves a standing ovation."

Bowyer's sent off
Gerrard: "It was a bit of a dangerous tackle and maybe a yellow would have been more sensible."

Souness: "I'm not fudging the issue but I didn't see it. But I'm told by those sitting alongside me there should have been more than one red card dished out."

yeekiat · Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2005 4:30 pm

hey Kewell had a terrific game. It was a great game for Liverpool but the red card was a bit harsh. And Liverpool were denied a penalty. Again!! i won't mind if we were winning, but things like this count when we are losing! like against sao paulo!

Liverpool ruined Michael Owen's Anfield return

Football News

Football Fixtures