Collymore ends drought - but Reds' one continues

Liverpool's 8.5 million pound striker Stan Collymore ended his drought with an explosively struck goal against Southampton -- but it was only enough to salvage a point for the struggling Merseysiders. Boss Roy Evans stuck doggedly to his controversial three centre-back formation but saw his side fail to win for the seventh time in succession in a run that has wrecked their championship hopes.

Collymore latched on to a John Barnes through ball after 66 minutes to unleash a fierce rising shot from the edge of the box that threatened to burst the roof of the net. It was the first goal Britain's most expensive player had scored since September 16 and only his third for the club. The venom with which he struck it had two-and-a-half months of frustration stamped all over it.

Southampton had smoothly soaked up 15 minutes of less than formidable Liverpool pressure at the start of the second half before threatening to steal the points with a beautifully executed goal.

Matthew Le Tissier weaved his way stylishly out of his own half and linked with Jim Magilton who found Jason Dodd in space on the right. His deflected cross was deftly headed inside the far post by Neil Shipperley.

Southampton had made the stronger start to the match, Shipperley coming close a couple of times before Le Tissier's header towards the bottom corner was athletically tipped wide by the diving David James after eight minutes.

Liverpool should have scored after 13 minutes but Collymore failed to make contact with Barnes' dangerous cross with the goal at his mercy. Collymore did better after 31 minutes, latching on to Robbie Fowler's pass to shoot from a tight ankle, keeper Dave Beasant doing well to beat the ball round his post.

Manager Roy Evans admitted that his side had got off to a nervous start but said that, even when a team was playing well, it was difficult to break teams down when they defend in depth.

"It's not as easy as just turning up," he said. "You've got to work hard to beat these teams because they deny you space. The goal was a relief for everyone. We are all in a position where after the run we've had we needed a break. It was a great goal, there was a great ball in from John Barnes and Stan finished it well. At least we showed a bit of spirit. I was pleased when we lost a goal that we rolled our sleeves up, battled away and got something out of the game -- that's the type of attitude we need to turn things around."

If Evans was relieved, Southampton boss Dave Merrington was delighted with his side's performance coming off the back of their midweek Coca-Cola Cup exit against Reading.
"I've not had a go at my players this season so far but I did the other night and I didn't mince any words. There were a few things I had to say at half-time and after that game and then I gave them a day off and got them back in. We worked hard technically at what we were going to do here and in fairness to my lads I thought they were magnificent. We defended with depth and tried to keep the ball and created chances. We played with patience and we still penetrated. I would have liked three points but we just lapsed towards the end. We just did not shut down quickly enough for the Liverpool goal and it cost us. I thought it was a well-taken goal. The whole team did well. I picked a side today to do a job and I'm not singling anyone out other than Neil Shipperley -- he was absolutely outstanding."

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