Brann in Bergen

Robbie Fowler conjured up another powerful contender for a vintage goal of the season competition to give Liverpool a firm hold on this European Cup-winners Cup quarter-final tie. Fowler cleverly controlled the ball with the outside of his boot, sending a cushioned flick looping over the head of his startled Norwegian marker before smashing home an unstoppable shot. His 10th-minute strike was equalised by Geir Hasund's goal early in the second half but Liverpool always maintained that they would settle for a share of the spoils against a side who had already eliminated crack Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven.

Roy Evans' team will take nothing for granted, recalling how they squandered an away draw against Brondby in the UEFA Cup last season by losing at home in the return leg. But with an all-important away goal also safely deposited, Liverpool will be confident of claiming a last four place in the return leg at Anfield in two weeks time.

The Liverpool line-up showed three changes from the team that suffered a severe jolt to their title hopes with a 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa last weekend. The most notable change was the axing of Stan Collymore, who was left on the bench. Patrik Berger was recalled to play just behind lone striker Fowler.

Liverpool manager Evans underlined his faith in the abilities of Steve Harkness by drafting him in for his first start since breaking a leg in two places against Coventry 11 months ago. Harkness took over from the ineligible Bjorne Kvarme in a reshaped back three. Neil Ruddock also returned after a six-week absence with hamstring trouble to replace the injured Mark Wright.

SK Brann sprang a surprise by naming the competition's top scorer, Mons Ivar Mjelde, among their substitutes. Mjelde found the net six times in the early rounds but has been suffering from a chest infection and manager Kjell Tennfjord was clearly unwilling to risk him over the full 90 minutes.

Liverpool played in their cream-coloured change strip but there were almost a few red faces in their defence as the Norwegians went perilously close to snatching a first-minute lead.

Tore Andre Flo, a reputed £4million target for Liverpool, embarrassed Ruddock by nodding a long clearance over his head and barging the defender out of the way to earn a clear run at goal. Flo also rounded goalkeeper David James, but Ruddock had raced back to block his angled shot and fortunately the rebound fell to Dominic Matteo who was able to complete the clearance.

Liverpool could not have produced a more emphatic reply as Fowler gave them the lead with a spectacular goal after 10 minutes.
Fowler produced an outrageous flick to knock the ball over the head of the startled Per Ove Ludvigsen and steadied himself before burying a ferocious drive beyond the helpless Vidar Bahus. That 23rd goal of the season signalled a welcome return to form for Fowler, who had been guilty of some glaring misses in Liverpool's previous matches against Blackburn and Aston Villa. His goal gave Liverpool the freedom to indulge in the patient passing game which has been their trademark during an incredible 166 matches in Europe.

They were jeered by the noisy Norwegian crowd, who should have been criticising instead their own team's lack of ambition - Flo was their lone front-runner and his team-mates were often camped deep in their own half. However, Harkness had to produce a fine tackle to prevent Roger Helland profiting from Flo's neat flick-on during a rare show of attacking intent from the home team.

Liverpool picked up the tempo themselves as Ruddock's probing ball forced a mistake out of the jittery Stefan Paldan, but Berger pushed the ball wide and ended up shooting into the side netting.

Flo continued to impress, escaping the attentions of both Ruddock and Matteo before sending a shot flashing over the crossbar. Ruddock was booked for fouling the burly striker shortly before half-time but redeemed himself by hacking the ball off the line after James' punch failed to clear the danger from a SK Brann corner.

Brann, restricted to just a couple of friendlies since October because of their mid-winter break, clearly appreciated the half-time interval as they came out for the second period breathing fire. They sent on Mjelde in place of Arne Moen and he immediately made his presence felt with a snapshot that screamed inches wide of an upright.

But the Norwegians were level in the 47th minute. Geir Hasund collected a cross from the right and stepped inside Dominic Matteo before beating James with a shot which went in off the inside of his left hand post.

Fowler almost restored Liverpool's lead with an audacious flick which bounced to safety off the top of the crossbar. Liverpool were suddenly looking shaky at the back as Brann committed more men forward, and Harkness and Stig Bjornebye were both booked for fouls. Their uncertainly was exposed by both Mjelde and Flo who escaped their markers in the closing minutes to earn themselves glorious shooting opportunities but James was well placed to beat the ball away on both occasions.

So Liverpool emerged with a priceless draw that strengthens their hopes of becoming the first English club to win all three European trophies, having already triumphed in both the European and UEFA Cups.

Copyright - Daily Mail