Reds fume at 'goal'

Liverpool slumped to an almost unprecedented fourth successive league defeat at Stamford Bridge.

It was 18-year-old Chelsea striker Neil Shipperley who deepened the gloom surrounding Anfield with a spectacular goal and a sparkling performance.

Glenn Hoddle's Chelsea team have now gone seven games without defeat - in stark contrast to Graeme Souness' side, who have now won just one of their last six Carling Premiership games.

Liverpool haven't taken a point from league games in September, the first time that has happened for 90 years.

But it was Shipperley's day at the Bridge. Included in the side for the injured Gavin Peacock, the Chatham-born youngster showed strength, skill and frightening shooting power.

He notched the only goal in a fiercely fought contest in the 49th minute when he turned sharply on a Dennis Wise cross and lashed in a shot that Liverpool 'keeper Bruce Grobbelaar got both hands to. The 'keeper couldn't hold it and desperately tried to claw the ball out but the linesman ruled it had crossed the line.

It was Shipperley's second league goal of his career and his second goal in a week.

Chelsea showed determination from the start as skipper Wise was booked for a crude first-minute foul on Nigel Clough.

Shipperley blazed a shot wide before Liverpool had their best spell of the match, Don Hutchison and Clough both going close.

But Shipperley showed what he was made of with a brilliant shot on the turn that produced an equally fine save from Grobbelaar.

Liverpool had plenty of possession but failed to create any clear chances until they had fallen behind.

Then Ian Rush set up youngster Robbie Fowler but Chelsea's Russian 'keeper Dmitri Kharin pulled off a fine save and Andy Dow cleared off the line from Hutchison.

Liverpool flung themselves forward in the closing stages and substitute Steve McManaman amazingly failed to equalise from Clough's cross, his shot somehow hitting the goalkeeper.

Then the normally deadly Rush headed wide from point-blank range, Jamie Redknapp was denied what seemed a clear penalty and in the last minute Rush again missed from close in.

It was never going to be Liverpool's day - and the Reds had Redknapp, Paul Stewart and Neil Ruddock all booked as their frustration boiled over.

Of the goal Graeme Souness stormed: "Bruce says it didn't cross the line. Their spare goalkeeper was warming up behind the line and he said it didn't go over the line."

Bitterly disappointed the Liverpool boss added: "I don't think we will get an easier game all year. All credit to their goalkeeper, he made some good saves. But we had so much of the ball that really we should have won. It was disturbing some of the decisions that went against us but I'm not allowed to comment on that. There was nothing wrong with our performance today."

"That was a game we should have won. It's disappointing because we're in a bad run at the moment. Last week we didn't play at all, but this week we performed and got nothing out of it. That is upsetting. Apart from the goal, they never caused us any problems. I didn't think there was anything to worry about - but we just didn't get the bit of luck you need. I'm upset. When you feel you should have got something and come away with nothing, you feel sorry for yourself - but that will last only until we get on the motorway."

Souness denied that he was about to pack it all in, saying: "I said I won't ever manage another club and that still goes. Liverpool is the team that I want to manage until the end of my career."

Chelsea boss Glenn Hoddle reacted to Souness' comments by saying: "It's interesting that he said they won't get an easier game. I've been in the game long enough to realise that we were a little bit fortunate. We didn't function as well as we have in the last six or seven games. Our goalkeeper pulled off two fantastic saves and Liverpool were the better passing team. But I don't think it was right for them to say it's the easiest game they've had - because they haven't won."

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