Death wish granted

Death wish granted

by Nicholas Harling of "The Times"

Not since that heady night when Red Star Belgrade outplayed them in a European Cup tie at Anfield in 1973 have Liverpool been given such a run around at home. What makes Saturday's defeat all the more disturbing for the champions is the fact that another home European Cup tie beckons although they do at least hold a 1-0 lead against Lech Poznan.

Joe Fagan, who sat through most of the game pondering his side's problems, knows that not the least of them is the eccentric goalkeeping of Grobbelaar who seemed to be saddled with even more of a death wish than usual. Not content with handing Sheffield Wednesday their opening goal, he then risked further embarrassment by playing what seemed like catch me if you can with Wednesday's forwards whenever he had possession, until he finally made his second crucial mistake. Bearing in mind Wednesday's long ball tactics, it almost appeared, at times, as if their intention was to hoof the ball within reach of Grobbelaar in the hope that he would foul things up. That, however, is being cruel on both Grobbelaar and Wednesday, who chose the unlikeliest of venues to register their first away win. 

So much in control were Wednesday after they scored their second goal, that the visiting supporters delivered the ultimate taunt. "What's it like to feel outclassed?" they sang as the Kop grimaced in mute resignation of the inevitable outcome before showing their true sportsmanship by applauding Wednesday off the pitch as they had Red Star all those years ago.

There was no lack of determination about Liverpool, simply that on the day they were forced out of their usual rhythm. Neither did things go right for them as Walsh, who struck one upright with a majestic header in the first half, and Wark, who shot against another in the second, will testify.

Wark, whose calf muscle had seized up during the interval, was replaced by Molby.

Wednesday had gone ahead in the eighth minute when Grobbelaar came yards out of his goal to clear Shirtliff's aimless boot forward only to give it straight to Varadu who, from a difficult angle, shot the ball past the still stranded goalkeeper. Sterland accepted Marwood's throw and return pass to initiate the second, his drive rebounding from Grobbelaar's grasp for Shelton to slip home.

Copyright - The Times