Talk lfc match report

^{by Anthony Jones at Talklfc}

Following the disappointment of their away draw at Bolton in the last round of Premiership fixtures and the excitement of the cup, Liverpool returned to Anfield to entertain Tottenham. With Manchester United losing earlier in the afternoon, the opportunity arose to close ground on second spot with games still in hand. Tottenham though were not to be underestimated, sitting in fourth spot in the table they've proven a resiliant side so far this season.

There was no place in the side for recent signing Jan Kromkamp who had to make do with a place on the bench whilst Daniel Agger is still short of match fitness. The back five saw one change from the Luton game with Reina returning. Gerrard and Kewell flanking Alonso and Sissoko in midfield. With Peter Crouch a fixture in the side, the only real question mark over selection of late has been the decision on who partners him and it was Morientes who got the nod this time ahead of Djibril Cisse.

This was a game in which the mentality of Benitez came to the fore. The organisation of the side will have pleased Benitez and whilst he might be disappointed at the quantity of possession his side gifted the visitors, he will be pleased with the way they pressed the ball. Spurs moved the ball around their back four and into midfield but rarely got much further. At the other end, Liverpool were not at their best, with Gerrard switching with Sissoko in the second half.

Liverpool were the livelier in front of goal and Morientes was the first to go close as a header left Robinson stranded but his against the crossbar. Robbie Keane had the best chance for Spurs early in the second half and will regret his profligacy. A ball in from the right by Jenas found Keane with space in the six yard box but he guided the ball past the wrong side of the post. In truth it was a rare opportunity and Spurs would wait until the last kick of the game before getting anywhere near Reina in the Liverpool goal. Again it was Keane who found room in the area but could not get any power on his effort. Liverpool's resilience at the back owed much to Sami Hyypia who sent out a clear message to new signing Agger that he won't be giving up his position in the side without a fight.

At the other end, Liverpool were creating a slow but steady stream of chances. Peter Crouch showed his value in the air as a Gerrard cross curled above the Tottenham back four. Crouch rose above his marker and looped his header towards goal only to see Robinson scramble back to push the ball wide. Steven Gerrard looked to work a shooting position on a couple of occasions but was unable to direct the ball wide enough of Robinson to really threaten a goal.

Increasingly it seemed like a game that would require a moment of brilliance to open it up, and that's exactly as it panned out. The rehabilitation of Harry Kewell might just be the most significant part of this season for Rafael Benitez assuming the Aussie can continue his steady improvement. Since finally finding relief from the injury problems tha have dogged him for the past two or three seasons Kewell has been finding a little favour amongst the Liverpool support. His goal today will help, as not only was it a tremendous finish, but it also proved the winner. Steve Finnan was afforded a little too much space on the right and he whipped in a cross that travelled to the opposite side of the Spurs penalty area. Waiting was Kewell who opened up his body and volleyed home from about ten yards.

Liverpool continued to allow Spurs to have the ball at the back but pressed hard whenever it came forward. Spurs had to settle for a series of corners and it was from one of these that the game was effectively ended as a contest. The ball was cleared to Riise on the edge of the box who moved forward and then played Kewell through on the half way line. Kewell took two touches to move the ball from under his feet and his first encouraged Stalteri to tackle. However the Canadian full back missed the ball and appeared to bring down the Liverpool winger. Whilst Lee was also in the half, he was some way wide of the play and Kewell was moving away from him. As a result the referee determined it to be a professional foul and sent Stalteri from the field. Other than the late scare, Liverpool saw out the final period of the game relatively comfortably, with Djibril Cisse putting in an encouraging cameo late on.