LIVERPOOL v NEWCASTLE UNITED, 2-0 Wed 20 Sep
2006
Dirk Kuyt opened his account for his new club and Xabi Alonso
scored a stunning goal from his own half to send Liverpool back
into the top half of the Barclays Premiership.
The Holland striker rounded off a sweeping move by the home side in
the 29th minute before Spain midfielder Alonso lobbed Newcastle
Uniteds Steve Harper from 65 yards in the second half to secure a
deserved win at Anfield.
Alonsos brilliant effort was the second time he has scored from
his own half in his Liverpool career after doing the same thing
against Luton in last season's FA Cup third-round.
The win eased Liverpools anxiety after back-to-back league defeats
to Everton and Chelsea and ended a scoreless run of three
games.
Much of the pre-match debate centred around Liverpool boss Rafael
Benitezs team selection and the role of captain Steven
Gerrard.
Benitez chose to change his starting line-up for 92nd consecutive
game, with Luis Garcia and Fabio Aurelio coming in.
The inclusion of Luis Garcia in place of Jermaine Pennant allowed
Gerrard to switch from the unfamiliar left midfield slot he filled
against Chelsea to the right.
He was soon racing up the centre of the field, however, as Kuyt
played an inviting ball in the second minute but Harper, deputising
for the injured Shay Given, was alert to the danger.
Newcastles first opportunity came in the 10th minute when
Liverpool half-cleared a corner but Jose Reina dealt comfortably
with Scott Parkers shot.
Liverpool were dominating the early possession and Craig Bellamy
had an opportunity against the club he left in acrimonious
circumstances last year when Luis Garcia played him through in the
13th minute. Harper was sharp and denied him from a tight
angle.
Aurelio lined up a fierce shot from distance but Parker dived
across to block and the Spaniard lost possession again to the same
player when well-placed soon after.
Aurelio tried his luck again from a free-kick but the wall did its
job and Harper coolly collected Luis Garcias effort on the
rebound. Luis Garcia had another opportunity after 26 minutes but
Harper was again untroubled.
Newcastle were on the back foot and the hosts got the break they
deserved in the 29th minute when Xabi Alonso played in Steve Finnan
and the full-back crossed for Kuyt.
The strong-running Dutchman, without a goal since his move from
Feyenoord last month, timed his run well and slid in to beat Harper
from close range.
Kuyt tried to grab a spectacular second from a corner shortly
before the interval but his ambitious bicycle kick from the edge of
the area went high and wide.
Newcastle had a penalty claim turned down early in the second half
when Shola Ameobi fell under pressure from Daniel Agger.
Liverpool responded to win a free-kick outside the area but Luis
Garcias cheeky attempt to push Alonsos cross into the net with
his hand did not go unnoticed by referee Mark Halsey.
Luis Garcia was booked but the Spaniard was back at his best
seconds later as he pulled the ball across goal only for Kuyt to
shoot wide.
Bellamy missed a glaring opportunity to add a second after 55
minutes when Gerrard pressured Peter Ramage and the Welshman raced
in on Harper.
The home fans were ready to celebrate as Bellamy lifted the ball
over the keeper but to his horror it rolled wide.
Aurelio curled in a dangerous free-kick just after the hour
following a foul on Kuyt by Craig Moore but Harper palmed it past
the post.
Liverpool were creating chance after chance and were again unlucky
when Gerrard chipped in a fine ball for Luis Garcia but the
Spaniard shot against the post.
Celestine Babayaro escaped an appeal for handball when Bellamy
pulled the ball back from the byline and Kuyt headed wide from an
Aurelio cross.
A second goal was no more than Reds play warranted and it came in
remarkable fashion as Alonso struck from his own half of the field
for the second time in his Liverpool career.
Alonso tried his luck from 65 yards out and Newcastle watched in
horror as Harper stumbled and fell as the ball drifted over his
head into the unguarded net. It was the Spaniards first goal since
scoring from his own half against Luton in January.
Gerrard went close to adding a third but shot straight at Harper
from a free-kick.
Newcastle had little to offer in response and Liverpool shut them
out to claim their first Barclays Premiership clean sheet this
season.