Articles
Liverpool Daily Post report
FOR 42-minutes Paul Jewell's dream return to Anfield was exactly that.
By the end, however, Dean Windass's opener proved merely a fading memory as Liverpool swept to a victory which lifts them nicely into sixth place in the Premiership.
Perhaps Jewell should consider himself unlucky his former club finally chose last night to display the attacking prowess which has been buried beneath the surface of more recent workmanlike performances; cutting free from their shackles to eventually clock up an incredible 24 attempts on goal.
For the first time this season they scored three in front of their own fans.
It could have been five and then some more, largely due to yet another exhilarating display from man-of-the-moment Titi Camara.
And yet Liverpool's fatal attraction with teams of Bradford City's stature almost struck again. Remember Watford. Remember Barnsley. Gerard Houllier's side fell behind after only 12 minutes and the lowly visitors should have doubled their advantage just a minute later.
Eager to make an impression, the Yorkshiremen started the better side and were rewarded when former Everton midfielder Stuart McCall threaded a pass which Windass dummied and then lashed first time past Sander Westerveld from the edge of the area after receiving a lay-off from strike partner Lee Mills.
Seconds later the lead should have been doubled when Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz were caught out for the first and last time allowing Neil Redfearn to steam into the space between the duo only to send a powerful header over the crossbar from no more than six yards.
The miss proved the turning point as Jewell was left to muse afterwards: "We had a great start and at 2-0 who knows what might have happened?"
As it was the on-the-field inquests involving Westerveld and his defenders were still raging when Camara fired Liverpool back on level terms and set in motion a dash to victory which saw a pass and move mentality match a work ethic which was unrelenting.
"Their goal was the start of the game for us," admitted Houllier. "before then we had been alright, but too soft and gentle."
The Guinea striker further embellished his love affair with the crowd with a stunning 20th minute equaliser and could have easily claimed a hat-trick at the end of a free-running show which was sprinkled with a smattering of gold dust.
Taking a pass from Steve Staunton, he turned Andy O'Brien beautifully and unleashed a pin-point left foot drive which Premiership debutant Matt Clarke could not manage to snake out a hand to.
With every passing game Camara is handing Houllier compelling evidence as to why he should be a permanent fixture in the side when everyone is fit. He was at the heartbeat of everything Liverpool strived to achieve and one deft flick in the second-half which cut out three Bradford players and almost presented the excellent Jamie Redknapp with a clear sight of goal simply defied believe and adequate description.
He has now scored five goals and everyone vital in its own way; three have been equaliser and two have been winners.
But as the visitors afforded their hosts time and space in which to play, so there were promising performances from every player decked out in a red shirt.
None more so than from Vladimir Smicer, who has one of three changes from the teams which has beaten West Ham, benefitted from being deployed in the role in which he excels for the Czech Republic. There was no doutbing this was the perfect match for Smicer to boost confidence levels which have been thinning by the week previously and he took full advantage and began paying back Houllier's unstinting faith in him.
He should have put his side ahead five minutes before the break but missed a gilt-edged opportunity to open his account after more brilliance from the simply irresistible Camara.
From his dummy, Smicer was able to ghost into the penalty area but with the goal at his mercy he stabbed the ball horribly into the side netting.
Thankfully, Patrik Berger, who enjoyed his best game of the season, ensured the aboration was only temporary as he darted into the penalty area a minute later only to be up- ended by the hapless David Wetherall, who was booked for a clumsy, ill-timed challenge.
Referee Jeff Winter pointed to the penalty spot and was duly sent staggering like a punch-drunk boxer after Windass' frustration saw he thump the ball straight into the official's face. Accidently of course, but the cheers were only marginally louder when Redknapp, impressive thumped the spot-kick home.
That the second-half did not deteriorate in a procession of Liverpool goals as the first had threatened is credit to Bradford's determination to fight to the death. They lack quality, but not heart and that will boost their slim chances of beating the drop.
Indeed while there was only one goal separating the two sides, there remained hope for Jewell.
Robbie Blake, the pick of Bradford's players, twisted and eventually turned Hyypia before testing Westerveld from just insidethe penalty area to serve-up a reminder.
But it is a measure of the progress Liverpool are making under the perfectionist demands of Houllier that the threat of an equaliser never quite left you sitting uncomfortably on the edge of your seat.
Hyppia, who finished with the captain's armband, was immense once again and in midfield Dietmar Hamann cut a reassuring figure once he had adapted to the pace of the game, producing a performance full of promise.
The German international's inclusion also allowed Redknapp to excel in an advanced role where he became increasingly influential, pouncing out of the shadows to win possession on countless occasions.
The terrier-like David Thompson played his part and he tested Clarke with a fierce shot after cutting in from the right flank he patrolled diligently on the hour. Clarke then denied Redknapp and produced an oustanding save to thwart Camara's Exocet shot, before Liverpool's non-stop efforts were rewarded with a third goal.
It came from the fresh legs of Vegard Heggem, on for Thompson, who collected a pass from Smicer and danced past the tired challenges of the tormented O'Brien and Wetherall, a la Middlesbrough last season, before tucking a shot in the corner of the goal.
This was a significant result regardless of whether Bradford are deemed to be relegation certainties or not. After all, that fact has been no consolation in the past.
With the supposed 'Dream Team' still unavailable, being handily placed in sixth spot and with Derby County to come at the weekend is maybe all that could have been asked for.
Houllier's faith - and insistence that patience and time would be important factors in what remains a transitional period - gathers credence by the week.
Vive la revolution perhaps?
Liverpool (4-4-2): Westerveld, Song, Hyypia, Henchoz, Staunton; Thompson (Heggem 78), Redknapp (Carragher 71), Hamann, Berger; Camara, Smicer (Meijer 82). Subs: Murphy, Nielsen.
Bradford City (4-4-2): Clarke, Halle (Lawrence 67), Wetherall, O'Brien, Sharpe; Redfearn (Rankin 79), McCall, Windass, Blake; Saunders, Mills. Subs: Myers, Prudhoe, Dreyer.
Referee: Jeff Winter (Stockton)
Bookings: Redfearn (foul 1), Wetherall (41) Windass (foul 45), Carragher (foul 78)
Copyright - Liverpool Daily Post
By the end, however, Dean Windass's opener proved merely a fading memory as Liverpool swept to a victory which lifts them nicely into sixth place in the Premiership.
Perhaps Jewell should consider himself unlucky his former club finally chose last night to display the attacking prowess which has been buried beneath the surface of more recent workmanlike performances; cutting free from their shackles to eventually clock up an incredible 24 attempts on goal.
For the first time this season they scored three in front of their own fans.
It could have been five and then some more, largely due to yet another exhilarating display from man-of-the-moment Titi Camara.
And yet Liverpool's fatal attraction with teams of Bradford City's stature almost struck again. Remember Watford. Remember Barnsley. Gerard Houllier's side fell behind after only 12 minutes and the lowly visitors should have doubled their advantage just a minute later.
Eager to make an impression, the Yorkshiremen started the better side and were rewarded when former Everton midfielder Stuart McCall threaded a pass which Windass dummied and then lashed first time past Sander Westerveld from the edge of the area after receiving a lay-off from strike partner Lee Mills.
Seconds later the lead should have been doubled when Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz were caught out for the first and last time allowing Neil Redfearn to steam into the space between the duo only to send a powerful header over the crossbar from no more than six yards.
The miss proved the turning point as Jewell was left to muse afterwards: "We had a great start and at 2-0 who knows what might have happened?"
As it was the on-the-field inquests involving Westerveld and his defenders were still raging when Camara fired Liverpool back on level terms and set in motion a dash to victory which saw a pass and move mentality match a work ethic which was unrelenting.
"Their goal was the start of the game for us," admitted Houllier. "before then we had been alright, but too soft and gentle."
The Guinea striker further embellished his love affair with the crowd with a stunning 20th minute equaliser and could have easily claimed a hat-trick at the end of a free-running show which was sprinkled with a smattering of gold dust.
Taking a pass from Steve Staunton, he turned Andy O'Brien beautifully and unleashed a pin-point left foot drive which Premiership debutant Matt Clarke could not manage to snake out a hand to.
With every passing game Camara is handing Houllier compelling evidence as to why he should be a permanent fixture in the side when everyone is fit. He was at the heartbeat of everything Liverpool strived to achieve and one deft flick in the second-half which cut out three Bradford players and almost presented the excellent Jamie Redknapp with a clear sight of goal simply defied believe and adequate description.
He has now scored five goals and everyone vital in its own way; three have been equaliser and two have been winners.
But as the visitors afforded their hosts time and space in which to play, so there were promising performances from every player decked out in a red shirt.
None more so than from Vladimir Smicer, who has one of three changes from the teams which has beaten West Ham, benefitted from being deployed in the role in which he excels for the Czech Republic. There was no doutbing this was the perfect match for Smicer to boost confidence levels which have been thinning by the week previously and he took full advantage and began paying back Houllier's unstinting faith in him.
He should have put his side ahead five minutes before the break but missed a gilt-edged opportunity to open his account after more brilliance from the simply irresistible Camara.
From his dummy, Smicer was able to ghost into the penalty area but with the goal at his mercy he stabbed the ball horribly into the side netting.
Thankfully, Patrik Berger, who enjoyed his best game of the season, ensured the aboration was only temporary as he darted into the penalty area a minute later only to be up- ended by the hapless David Wetherall, who was booked for a clumsy, ill-timed challenge.
Referee Jeff Winter pointed to the penalty spot and was duly sent staggering like a punch-drunk boxer after Windass' frustration saw he thump the ball straight into the official's face. Accidently of course, but the cheers were only marginally louder when Redknapp, impressive thumped the spot-kick home.
That the second-half did not deteriorate in a procession of Liverpool goals as the first had threatened is credit to Bradford's determination to fight to the death. They lack quality, but not heart and that will boost their slim chances of beating the drop.
Indeed while there was only one goal separating the two sides, there remained hope for Jewell.
Robbie Blake, the pick of Bradford's players, twisted and eventually turned Hyypia before testing Westerveld from just insidethe penalty area to serve-up a reminder.
But it is a measure of the progress Liverpool are making under the perfectionist demands of Houllier that the threat of an equaliser never quite left you sitting uncomfortably on the edge of your seat.
Hyppia, who finished with the captain's armband, was immense once again and in midfield Dietmar Hamann cut a reassuring figure once he had adapted to the pace of the game, producing a performance full of promise.
The German international's inclusion also allowed Redknapp to excel in an advanced role where he became increasingly influential, pouncing out of the shadows to win possession on countless occasions.
The terrier-like David Thompson played his part and he tested Clarke with a fierce shot after cutting in from the right flank he patrolled diligently on the hour. Clarke then denied Redknapp and produced an oustanding save to thwart Camara's Exocet shot, before Liverpool's non-stop efforts were rewarded with a third goal.
It came from the fresh legs of Vegard Heggem, on for Thompson, who collected a pass from Smicer and danced past the tired challenges of the tormented O'Brien and Wetherall, a la Middlesbrough last season, before tucking a shot in the corner of the goal.
This was a significant result regardless of whether Bradford are deemed to be relegation certainties or not. After all, that fact has been no consolation in the past.
With the supposed 'Dream Team' still unavailable, being handily placed in sixth spot and with Derby County to come at the weekend is maybe all that could have been asked for.
Houllier's faith - and insistence that patience and time would be important factors in what remains a transitional period - gathers credence by the week.
Vive la revolution perhaps?
Liverpool (4-4-2): Westerveld, Song, Hyypia, Henchoz, Staunton; Thompson (Heggem 78), Redknapp (Carragher 71), Hamann, Berger; Camara, Smicer (Meijer 82). Subs: Murphy, Nielsen.
Bradford City (4-4-2): Clarke, Halle (Lawrence 67), Wetherall, O'Brien, Sharpe; Redfearn (Rankin 79), McCall, Windass, Blake; Saunders, Mills. Subs: Myers, Prudhoe, Dreyer.
Referee: Jeff Winter (Stockton)
Bookings: Redfearn (foul 1), Wetherall (41) Windass (foul 45), Carragher (foul 78)
Copyright - Liverpool Daily Post
