Reds get the Ferd degree
by Lee Wellings of "Press Association"
Rangers' striker Les Ferdinand continued his run of scoring form to lead his team to a rare win at Anfield.
The striker's seventh goal in as many games opened the scoring to stun the champions, who were hoping for a comfortable win to retain their top spot.
And as they slid to defeat Arsenal were overhauling them with a win at Derby, scene of a 7-1 Liverpool victory last week.
The other hero was Czech goalkeeper Jan Stejskal, who made vital saves every time Liverpool threatened to come back into the match.
Stejskal saved from Ian Rush, two goals away from 200 in the League, after 25 minutes to start the afternoon of frustration. Eight minutes later Ferdinand headed Rangers in front.
Seconds before half-time Republic of Ireland international Steve Staunton experienced his second slice of bad luck in four days.
Recovered
On Wednesday he had the misfortune to deflect England right-back Lee Dixon's shot into the Wembley net. The Republic recovered but after Staunton's back-pass was mistakenly left by Burrows and Roy Wegerle pounced, Liverpool would not. Wegerle danced past Mike Hooper and ended a lean spell to score his 16th goal of the season.
Liverpool, despite the absence of their inspiration John Barnes, a flu victim, improved after the break. Stejskal kept out Staunton's 25 yard drive and Glenn Hysen had a header cleared off the line.
A regular feature of recent Liverpool matches has been the Jan Molby penalty, and it made its appearance in the 64th minute after Rufus Brevett handled.
The game's crucial moment, with the score at 2-1, involved Peter Beardsley, the ball and a post, the post having the final say.
Hysen had one more go at levelling the scores with his head, but Stejskal pawed the ball to safety to ensure Rangers move further from the relegation zone.
Substitute Clive Wilson capped a magnificent effort from a Rangers team growing in confidence in recent weeks by scoring with his first touch for the third goal.
In November of last season Rangers beat Liverpool during the Reds' worst run of the year.
Liverpool recovered to take the championship, but this time the surprise victory may have left them without enough time.
Copyright - Press Association