Liverpool v Southampton 07/09/96 3.00Liverpool (1) 2 Southampton (0) 1 FT Collymore 39 Magilton 58 McManaman 89 Graeme Souness's return to Anfield today ended in agony with Steve McManaman scoring a dramatic late winner for Liverpool. The Southampton manager was making his first return to the ground after quitting as Anfield boss in January 1994 following a shock FA Cup defeat by Bristol City after nearly three years in charge. It looked as though Southampton had scraped a point after former Liverpool reserve Jim Magilton had cancelled out the opening goal by Stan Collymore. But with just two minutes remaining a dreadful error by substitute Neil Heaney gave Liverpool an unexpected winner. Heaney's attempted pass back to keeper Dave Beasant was woefully short and McManaman wasted no time in latching to the loose ball. The England winger danced past Beasant to tuck the ball into the corner. The Kop sighed with relief but this was another edgy performance by the home side despite having the majority of possession. Collymore gave them the lead with his first goal of the season six minutes before the break. Jason McAteer, celebrating his first anniversary at Anfield, started the move by picking out John Barnes. The Liverpool skipper squared the ball across the face of the penalty area and Collymore swept it home despite appearing to lose his footing in the process. Liverpool had carved out the early chances with Robbie Fowler seeing a firmly struck 25 yard shot rattle the bar after great work by Barnes. Souness, obviously upset at the lack of movement from his side in the first half, brought on Gordon Watson for the ineffective Matt Le Tissier at the start of the second half. Liverpool continued to dictate the pace but the visitors drew level after 57 minutes with their first real attack of the game. Watson linked up with Robbie Slater and he slipped the ball through to Magilton. He swept the ball beyond keeper David James - an unforgettable moment for a player who left Liverpool at 21 because of a lack of first team opportunities. Southampton were forced to back pedal after the equaliser and Beasant did superbly well to turn away a thundering 30-yard shot from Michael Thomas after Stig Bjornebye had set up the chance. Southampton continued to look dangerous in rare breakaways and Liverpool manager Roy Evans decided to change things around with 14 minutes to go. He brought on £3.25million signing Patrik Berger for his debut with 14 minutes to go. Jamie Redknapp also made his first appearance of the season, following an ankle injury, at the same time. The double move paid off with Liverpool looking far more positive and Beasant thwarted Berger by making a fine save from his fierce header. It appeared that Southampton would hold out but then came that moment of madness by Heaney leaving Liverpool celebrating and Souness distraught. 
Liverpool: James, McAteer, Wright (Ruddock, 69), Matteo, Babb, Bjornebye, Thomas (Redknapp, 77), McManaman, Collymore (Berger, 77), Fowler, Barnes. Subs not used: Warner, Jones. Booked: Bjornebye. Southampton: Beasant, Dodd (Magilton, 12), Le Tissier (Watson, 45), Shipperley, Maddison (Heaney, 45), Charlton, Neilson, Oakley, Dryden, Slater, Lundekvam. Subs not used: Potter, Moss. Booked: Dryden, Maddison, Slater. Attendance: 39,189. Referee: A Wilkie (Chester Le Street). |
