From Bill Shankly to Robbie Fowler
or Rome '84 to Strasbourg '97


Match Reports

Bolton 1-1 Liverpool

Liverpool 4-0 Derby

PREMIERSHIP REVIEW
BOLTON 1-1 LIVERPOOL
It was an eventful 90 minutes for Robbie Fowler on Saturday, scoring and arguably in the end costing the Reds the points, after being sent off 15 minutes from the end.

Liverpool took only 50 seconds to take the lead at Bolton, Norwegian midfielder Leonhardsen did well down the right before dragging the ball back for Robbie Fowler to strike the ball into the back of the net.

Bolton took their time but began to hit back with Nathan Blake and Per Frandsen both going close. Neither team was taking control though with both defences well on top. Possesion was split for the rest of the half with Liverpool playing some good football, while Bolton had to be content with long range efforts.

Robbie Fowler nearly put the Reds 2-0 up following a similar move to his goal but his first time left foot shot was well saved by Branagan in the Bolton goal. Botlon's best opportunity fell to Dean Holdsworth who found some space but was denied by an excellent challenge from Dominic Matteo.

The second half began much the same with neither team really taking control of the game and both defences were still on top. Liverpool were dealt a huge blow after 75 minutes when Robbie Fowler was sent off for a reckless challenge on Per Frandsen. Fowler appeared to use an elbow and the referee had no option but to send him off.

Bolton made their one man advantage tell almost immediately and equalised through Nathan Blake after 84 minutes. Jimmy Phillips produced a great deep cross for Blake to head beautifully past James in the Liverpool goal.

Bolton pressed for a winner but were unable to break down a well organised Liverpool defence and the game finished 1-1.

Team - (4-4-2) James, Jones, Kvarme, Matteo, Bjornbye, Ince, Leonhardsen, Redknapp, McManaman, Owen (Riedle 75), Fowler

Attendance - 25,000

League Placing - 8th

Next Match - Strasbourg (H), Tuesday 4th November (8pm KO)

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PREMIERSHIP REVIEW
LIVERPOOL 4-0 DERBY
A superb second half performance gave Liverpool a much needed three points at Anfield, to the relief of boss Roy Evans. Chances were few and far between in the opening moments.

Derby were on top early on, but they could only muster two Paulo Wanchope half-chances. The Costa-Rican was unable to finish on both occasions.

Then out-of-the-blue, Liverpool took the lead. Robbie Fowler was the marksman, scoring with a fourteen-yard drive past Mart Poom in the Rams net. That goal came in the 26th minute, and soon after Redknapp and Owen were unlucky not to increase the Reds' lead. It was certainly an improved performance by the Reds in the closing minutes of the first half.

The second-half saw the Reds take complete control, with it being a matter of when - not if - they will score again. What they threatened to do at the end of the first period they did do in the second.

Three goals in the last twenty-five minutes sank County, with Steve McManaman and Fowler the chief tormenters. These two combined in the 65th minute to set up Norwegian Oyvind Leonhardsen, the midfielder scoring with an angled drive into the bottom corner for his first Premiership goal for Liverpool.

That opened up the floodgates at Anfield. Ten minutes later Fowler failed to convert from the penalty-spot after Dailly felled Owen on the by-line. But Fowler wasn't to be denied his second of the game, the striker's powerful shot squirming under the body of Poom, who had his work cut out in the Rams goal.

One more goal was put past him, Stig Bjornebye's corner met by a powerful header from McManaman - the playmaker fully deserving his goal.

Team - (4-4-2) James, Jones, Kvarme, Matteo, Bjornbye, Ince, Leonhardsen, Redknapp, McManaman, Owen, Fowler

Attendance - 38,017

League Placing - 5th

Next Match - Bolton (A), Saturday 1st November (3pm KO)

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