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Barnes in FA Cup Final scare
Liverpool earned a point at Hillsborough to ruin Sheffield Wednesday's faint hopes of finishing runners-up in the League.
But the FA Cup finalists suffered a scare before their Wembley clash with Sunderland when England ace John Barnes limped off injured after just 21 minutes.
Barnes pulled up sharply after chasing a through pass from Jan Molby and was immediately substituted in a Liverpool side already without Dean Saunders, Michael Thomas, Rob Jones and Bruce Grobbelaar.
Republic Of Ireland midfielder Ronnie Whelan was also substituted in only his 13th game of an injury-plagued season.
Liverpool, with England's Mark Wright outstanding in defence, restricted Wednesday to only a handful of chances. The best fell to Northern Ireland midfielder Danny Wilson just before half-time but he blazed his shot over after David Hirst had cut the ball back to him.
Goalkeeper Mike Hooper did his Wembley chances a power of good with a fine save from Hirst 15 minutes from the end but Wednesday's England star Chris Woods also had to earn his money, splendidly stopping a Whelan follow-up shot after pushing the ball away from Ian Rush.
Six days ago Liverpool halted Manchester United's championship chase by beating them at Anfield and they deserved their draw at Hillsborough.
But the Wednesday players earned their round of applause from more than 30,000 home fans when they did a lap of honour at the completion of the match.
Meanwhile, Liverpool say John Barnes has been cleared to play in the FA Cup final despite being substituted after only 21 minutes.
Barnes pulled up sharply after chasing a through pass and immediately came off, pointing to his thigh.
But Liverpool caretaker-manager Ronnie Moran said: "It was just a precaution, he'll be OK for Saturday."
"The ball hit him on the thigh and it started a spasm. It is nothing serious but there is no point in taking risks just before a Cup Final."
The news was a great relief for Liverpool, who had to pull Barnes out of the England squad in Moscow.
Moran, in charge while Graeme Souness recovers from heart surgery, also confirmed that 2.9 million pound striker Dean Saunders is fit despite missing the Hillsborough game. Republic Of Ireland midfielder Ronnie Whelan was also substituted against Sheffield Wednesday with hamstring trouble and could be Liverpool's major doubt for Wembley having started in only 13 matches in an injury-plagued season.
Moran said: "Ronnie will tell me if he's fit for Wembley. I've known him for 18 years since he was a kid and he'll know whether he is right or not. Certainly he is not ruled out at the moment."
Keeper Mike Hooper could now win the Wembley vote in place of Bruce Grobbelaar after another impressive display.
Moran said: "Mike has kept two clean sheets in the last few games and he's done well."
Grobbelaar was not selected despite recovering from a hamstring injury.
Copyright - British Soccer Week
But the FA Cup finalists suffered a scare before their Wembley clash with Sunderland when England ace John Barnes limped off injured after just 21 minutes.
Barnes pulled up sharply after chasing a through pass from Jan Molby and was immediately substituted in a Liverpool side already without Dean Saunders, Michael Thomas, Rob Jones and Bruce Grobbelaar.
Republic Of Ireland midfielder Ronnie Whelan was also substituted in only his 13th game of an injury-plagued season.
Liverpool, with England's Mark Wright outstanding in defence, restricted Wednesday to only a handful of chances. The best fell to Northern Ireland midfielder Danny Wilson just before half-time but he blazed his shot over after David Hirst had cut the ball back to him.
Goalkeeper Mike Hooper did his Wembley chances a power of good with a fine save from Hirst 15 minutes from the end but Wednesday's England star Chris Woods also had to earn his money, splendidly stopping a Whelan follow-up shot after pushing the ball away from Ian Rush.
Six days ago Liverpool halted Manchester United's championship chase by beating them at Anfield and they deserved their draw at Hillsborough.
But the Wednesday players earned their round of applause from more than 30,000 home fans when they did a lap of honour at the completion of the match.
Meanwhile, Liverpool say John Barnes has been cleared to play in the FA Cup final despite being substituted after only 21 minutes.
Barnes pulled up sharply after chasing a through pass and immediately came off, pointing to his thigh.
But Liverpool caretaker-manager Ronnie Moran said: "It was just a precaution, he'll be OK for Saturday."
"The ball hit him on the thigh and it started a spasm. It is nothing serious but there is no point in taking risks just before a Cup Final."
The news was a great relief for Liverpool, who had to pull Barnes out of the England squad in Moscow.
Moran, in charge while Graeme Souness recovers from heart surgery, also confirmed that 2.9 million pound striker Dean Saunders is fit despite missing the Hillsborough game. Republic Of Ireland midfielder Ronnie Whelan was also substituted against Sheffield Wednesday with hamstring trouble and could be Liverpool's major doubt for Wembley having started in only 13 matches in an injury-plagued season.
Moran said: "Ronnie will tell me if he's fit for Wembley. I've known him for 18 years since he was a kid and he'll know whether he is right or not. Certainly he is not ruled out at the moment."
Keeper Mike Hooper could now win the Wembley vote in place of Bruce Grobbelaar after another impressive display.
Moran said: "Mike has kept two clean sheets in the last few games and he's done well."
Grobbelaar was not selected despite recovering from a hamstring injury.
Copyright - British Soccer Week
