Liverpool v Arsenal 19/08/96 8.00

Liverpool               (0) 2 Arsenal                 (0) 0 FT
McManaman 68,74               

Steve McManaman struck twice in six second half minutes to put Liverpool back on the winning trail and make Arsenal pay for their lack of attacking intent.

Caretaker boss Stewart Houston's plan of stifling the life out of the game looked to be paying off as Roy Evans' men endured a frustrating first hour.

But then fate took a hand as Steve Bould's attempt to block McManaman's weak left-footer only succeeded in leaving previously unemployed David Seaman flat-footed.

That chance had been created by John Barnes and, with McManaman now starting to turn on the style he had shown for England this summer, he appeared to have repaid the compliment in the 74th minute with a back-heel that put the skipper in on goal.

Seaman showed he has lost none of his Euro 96 reflexes with a great parry to deny Barnes, but even he could do nothing as the ball fell perfectly onto McManaman's left foot again for the England man to steer it into the gaping net.

Houston tried to alter the complexion of the game by sending on Ian Wright for John Hartson, but there was no way back for the Londoners for all the skill displayed by Dennis Bergkamp.

And it could have been worse as Liverpool broke free from their shackles late on, Robbie Fowler going close to following his hat-trick exploits of the last two seasons with another goal.

Yet the final scoreline, and Liverpool's final dominance, had not really appeared possible in the opening 68 minutes.

Fowler's recent shootings down of the Gunners had brought Anfield hopes of an astonishing hat-trick, but that never seemed likely to happen as Arsenal, for all their off-field uncertainties, established a strong defensive grip.

Martin Keown, Andy Linighan and Bould refused to give the home strike-force an inch of room and, for all Liverpool's possession, Seaman has rarely had an easier first 45 minutes.

He plucked the ball off Stan Collymore's head in the fifth minute after a Ray Parlour miskick had caused alarm, yet that was as tough as it got for the England goalkeeper.

Long distance efforts from Collymore and Arsenal old boy Michael Thomas were tame and unthreatening, while McManaman's runs meandered into nowhere and, while Evans' side forced 10 first half corners, they never looked like breaking through.

Not that Arsenal still without David Platt and Tony Adams as well, of course, as a manager were much better, although Bergkamp's talent and vision hinted at better things, one juggle and volley proving there was class on the pitch.

Liverpool attempted to pick things up after the interval, Collymore's acrobatic volley dropping the wrong side of the crossbar and only Bould's cunning easing Fowler off a great John Barnes cross.

But still Seaman was untroubled before Bould's inadvertent touch turned the game utterly.

Suddenly, McManaman's runs were full of belief, Arsenal struggling to cope, and the second goal killed them off.

Evans could even afford to take off Fowler and Collymore before the end, sending on Lee Jones and teenage debutant David Thompson. Two goals were more than enough.

Liverpool: (5-3-2) James, McAteer, Wright, Matteo, Babb, Bjornebye, McManaman, Barnes, Thomas, Collymore (Thompson, 87), Fowler (Jones, 87).

Subs not used: Ruddock, Carragher, Warner.

Booked: Hartson.

Arsenal: (4-4-2) Seaman, Dixon, Bould, Linighan, Keown, Winterburn, Merson, Morrow (Hillier, 78), Parlour, Bergkamp (Helder, 87), Hartson (Wright, 69).

Subs not used: Rose, Lukic.

Booked: Linighan, Hartson.

Attendance: 38,103.

Referee: G S Willard (Worthing).