STEVEN GERRARD added yet another coat of gloss to his burgeoning reputation

STEVEN GERRARD added yet another coat of gloss to his burgeoning reputation - but even his unerring strike could not disguise the fact victory was more the result of commitment than class.

The midfielder opened the scoring with as brilliant a goal as you could hope to see by crashing home a 35-yarder with a perfect blend of precision and power to give the Reds a 12th-minute lead.

But that was one of few bright moments for Gerard Houllier's side, who barely deserved Markus Babbel's winner four minutes from time after another scrappy performance against dogged opponents.

The news, though, that most of Liverpool's major rivals in the race for Champions' League qualification slipped up yesterday makes the win all the more important, however unimpressively earned.

The Reds' passing and movement fell far below its best standards, even if the conspicuous lack of guile was partially compensated for by grit and graft.

The result, on the other hand, is sure to rank among the most crucial of the new year.

It was a win despite playing badly, a sign that real character is developing in Houllier's squad.

And fifth place in the table, three points of second with a game in hand, was the tangible reward.

Entry to Europe's premier competition is Houllier's declared aim, and this victory has helped bring that dream nearer fulfilment.

After struggling desperately against Middlesbrough on Boxing Day, Liverpool again found difficulty producing their flowing brand of football against a team intent on defending in depth.

After drawing level through Trond Soltvedt, Southampton negated Liverpool's attacking instincts and the Reds never managed to reproduce the form that recently brought them back-to-back wins over Manchester United and Arsenal.

But putting aside the flaws in Liverpool's display against the Saints' throttling approach, it is worth reflecting on the contribution of Gerrard.

He has played at right-back and right midfield this season and impressed in both roles.

But his ample skills find their most natural expression in central midfield.

Whether making a crucial tackle with impeccable timing, or spraying a pass with a minimum of fuss and a maximum of speed, his value to the team is immense.

And his goal at Anfield yesterday was exceptional.

Another reminder that his future at club and international level is bright.

As he unleashed his rocket, you felt sure even he could not trouble Paul Jones from that range, but in a flash the ball was pounding the roof of the net.

It was no less than Gerrard deserved after it had taken a reflex punch from Jones to turn away a similar effort in the second minute.

The midfielder continued to exert an influence on the game with his visionary passing.

Sadly, the same cannot be said of many of his team-mates, who squandered possession with frustrating regularity.

Southampton, belying their reputation as perennial relegation fodder and buoyed by the unfamiliar feeling of going into the game placed a lofty 12th in the table, drew level on 20 minutes.

Marian Pahars floated in a left-wing corner which was flicked on via Sami Hyypia in the middle of the penalty area and found its way to Soltvedt lurking beyond the far post.

He was straight on to the chance, sweeping the ball through a ruck of players and past a helpless Sander Westerveld.

Saints, under orders from boss Glenn Hoddle, then brought down the iron curtain.

Pahars gave the Liverpool goal a scare with a 25-yard effort that whistled just wide of an upright on the half-hour mark while at the other end Babbel, Emile Heskey and Gerrard all saw shots fly wide.

The home side admittedly saw more of the ball, but still their play was disjointed as the Saints made midfield as claustrophobic as possible.

The second half continued in much the same vein, though Liverpool had several sightings of goal.

A mistake in the Southampton defence allowed Vladimir Smicer in but the Czech shot over, and, moments later, he once more failed to trouble Jones, dragging the ball wide after cutting in cleverly from the right.

Real chances were at a premium and mostly confined to distance.

Heskey forced a save with a 25-yard volley after 58 minutes before Kevin Davies' drilled attempt was held low down by the under-employed Westerveld.

Robbie Fowler, returning to the team along with Gary McAllister, still seems short of confidence, in need of a slice of luck and out of form.

And midway through the second period, he was foiled by Jones.

The impressive Jamie Carragher whipped in a cross from the left and Fowler at the far post stabbed the ball goalwards - but it was not his day.

Houllier, who had already brought on Danny Murphy for Nick Barmby, continued to ring the changes with Michael Owen and Igor Biscan taking over from Emile Heskey and Vladimir Smicer.

Liverpool survived a strong penalty appeal when Stephane Henchoz handled the ball but referee Dermot Gallagher was unmoved.

The wisdom of the substitutions was vindicated when Owen's run and shot-cum-cross produced a corner.

McAllister swung it in from the right, Hyypia diverted the ball towards goal and Babbel applied the final touch with his head to make it 2-1.
Only minutes earlier Babbel had been off the field receiving treatment for a kick on an ankle but, with all the Houllier's subs used up, he bravely returned to the field with dramatic effect.

Only a few days before he had described the English game as "brutal" - and the way he limped back into the fray after being poleaxed merely crowned an impressive performance.

There was no way back for negative Southampton this time round.

They came from 3-0 down to equalise in the last 18 minutes at the Dell in August.

It was not pretty but it is now the Liverpool fans toasting a winning start to 2001.

LIVERPOOL (4-4-2): Westerveld; Babbel, Henchoz, Hyypia, Carragher; Barmby (Murphy 52), McAllister, Gerrard, Smicer (Owen 72); Heskey (Biscan 77) Fowler.

Subs: Hamann, Nielsen.

SOUTHAMPTON (4-5-1): Jones; Dodd, El Khalej, Lundekvam, Bridge; Pahars (Kachloul 82), Tessem (Rosler 90), Oakley, Soltvedt, Davies; Beattie.

Subs: Moss, Bleidelis, Gibbens.

BOOKING: Southampton's Rosler.

REFEREE: D Gallagher.

ATT: 38,474.

HOW THEY RATED

SANDER WESTERVELD: Had little to do all afternoon other than pick the ball out of his net after 20 minutes. Mostly assured, but did not always get direction and length on clearances. Score 6

STEPHANE HENCHOZ: Did not always manage to clear as effectively as normal with his head and endured a few nervy moments. Score 6

SAMI HYYPIA: Won most aerial battles against James Beattie, but like the rest of the team will be disappointed to concede a set-piece goal. Played a part in the winner. Score 7

MARKUS BABBEL: Enjoyed a good afternoon. The German provided a threat down the right and courageously brushed aside injury to score Liverpool's late winner. Score 8

JAMIE CARRAGHER: A solid display both defending and pressing forward. Again he showed his versatilty. A misjudged pass that gave Beattie an opening went unpunished. Score 7

VLADIMIR SMICER: The Czech showed glimpses of his true capabilities but could not round off some impressive runs with a clinical finish Рeach time he shot high or wide. Score 6

EMILE HESKEY: Embarked on a typical canter from the halfway early in the game but his shot was blocked. Forced a second-half save. Score 6

ROBBIE FOWLER: Received a massive cheer when his name was read out before the game Рbut lacked sharpness and was a shadow of his former self. Score 5

STEVEN GERRARD: Man of the match. Scored a wonder goal and worked hard to good effect. Underlined his emergence as a top flight performer for club and country. Score 9

NICK BARMBY: Failed to make a telling impact on the game. Substituted to make way for Danny Murphy in the 52nd minute. Score 6

GARY McALLISTER: Called in to replace Igor Biscan but it was not the veteran midfielder's most influential game. Score 6

MICHAEL OWEN: Could not add to the two goals he scored against Southampton in August, but provided extra spark when he came on in place of Smicer. It was his run that forced the corner which led to Babbel's winner. Score 7

DANNY MURPHY: Added fresh impetus after replacing Barmby in the 52nd minute. Score 7

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