Articles
Redknapp lights up Euro return
Jamie Redknapp celebrated Liverpool's return to European combat with a spectacular 30-yard strike that ripped the heart out of Russian League leaders Vladikavkaz. Redknapp made his mark after 52 minutes of the UEFA Cup first round first leg tie – A week after his highly promising England debut against Colombia at Wembley. Goalkeeper Xavier Harpov was rooted to the sport as Redknapp's shot sped into the top right-hand corner. It silenced the 43,000 fans who had seen their side concede a first-half lead - and left the 50 intrepid travelling supporters from Merseyside with the stage to themselves with a fine rendition of "You'll Never Walk Alone".
They had every right to feel proud of the four-times European Champions who were back on the continental stage for the first time in three seasons. Fittingly, it was Steve McManaman, Redknapp's international colleague, who put Liverpool in sight of a famous victory in a match that saw the build-up dominated by security stories.
Vladikavkaz is only 50 miles from war-torn Chechnya but it was never a problem and Liverpool made up for their second trip into Russian territory. That was in the 1992-93 Cup Winners' Cup when they lost 6-2 on aggregate to Spartak Moscow. It was McManaman who had scored their last goal in Europe - and he had even more reason to remember tonight's effort. The England forward, Liverpool's most experienced European player with 12 outings, had squandered a great equalising opportunity on 24 minutes - after star man Mirdjal Kosynov had caught out David James from a free kick to give the Russians the lead.
But McManaman hauled Liverpool level in spectacular style after 32 minutes. He was picked out by a pass from Steve Harkness, but looked to have been forced too wide by goalkeeper Harpov.
McManaman kept his cool, though, and with Harpov stranded in no man's land, curled a right-foot shot into the net from the tightest of angles.
Liverpool had set out their stall against the Russians League leaders, relegating Robbie Fowler to the bench and leaving British record signing Stan Collymore as a lone striker.
Opponents Vladikavkaz had taken the lead after 19 minutes and Evans said: "We rolled our sleeves up when they scored and you won't see two better goals all season than the ones we scored." Regarding the winner from Jamie Redknapp, Evans quipped: "It's about time he scored! He's been getting closer ..." Redknapp acknowledged: "It's been a great week for me. It was a dream come true to make my England debut last week and now we have come here and won. We are all absolutely delighted."
Copyright - Press Association
They had every right to feel proud of the four-times European Champions who were back on the continental stage for the first time in three seasons. Fittingly, it was Steve McManaman, Redknapp's international colleague, who put Liverpool in sight of a famous victory in a match that saw the build-up dominated by security stories.
Vladikavkaz is only 50 miles from war-torn Chechnya but it was never a problem and Liverpool made up for their second trip into Russian territory. That was in the 1992-93 Cup Winners' Cup when they lost 6-2 on aggregate to Spartak Moscow. It was McManaman who had scored their last goal in Europe - and he had even more reason to remember tonight's effort. The England forward, Liverpool's most experienced European player with 12 outings, had squandered a great equalising opportunity on 24 minutes - after star man Mirdjal Kosynov had caught out David James from a free kick to give the Russians the lead.
But McManaman hauled Liverpool level in spectacular style after 32 minutes. He was picked out by a pass from Steve Harkness, but looked to have been forced too wide by goalkeeper Harpov.
McManaman kept his cool, though, and with Harpov stranded in no man's land, curled a right-foot shot into the net from the tightest of angles.
Liverpool had set out their stall against the Russians League leaders, relegating Robbie Fowler to the bench and leaving British record signing Stan Collymore as a lone striker.
Opponents Vladikavkaz had taken the lead after 19 minutes and Evans said: "We rolled our sleeves up when they scored and you won't see two better goals all season than the ones we scored." Regarding the winner from Jamie Redknapp, Evans quipped: "It's about time he scored! He's been getting closer ..." Redknapp acknowledged: "It's been a great week for me. It was a dream come true to make my England debut last week and now we have come here and won. We are all absolutely delighted."
Copyright - Press Association
