By Ken Gaunt, PA Sport
        Liverpool slipped and stumbled for the second time inside a week at
     Anfield to pose serious questions about their Premiership Championship
     challenge. 
        Manager Roy Evans was anxious that his side improved on the 1-1 draw
     with Merseyside rivals Everton on Wednesday. 
        Instead today's game was like an action replay with the visitors
     securing a point after going a goal down inside a minute. 
        Wimbledon got back into the match by grabbing the equaliser after 67
     minutes through the Norwegian international Oyvend Leonhardsen. 
        That goal extended the club's unbeaten run and was further evidence that
     they themselves could pose a major threat when the honours are handed out
     in May. 
        Stan Collymore returned to the Liverpool starting line-up because Steve
     McManaman was sidelined with a hamstring injury picked up in midweek. 
        Collymore could not have wished for a better start, the goal coming
     after less than a minute. 
        Jamie Redknapp played a neat square ball to Robbie Fowler, who pushed it
     forward deep into the Wimbledon half. 
        Dean Blackwell should have cut it out, but lost possession with
     Collymore on his shoulder. 
        He took it on and directed a fierce shot from the edge of the area
     beyond keeper Neil Sullivan. 
        Wimbledon quickly hit back with John Barnes losing possession and Marcus
     Gayle sent in a fierce shot that keeper David James smothered well. 
        Liverpool suffered a blow after 16 minutes when Dominic Matteo was
     stretchered off after a clash of heads with Robbie Earle to be replaced by
     Phil Babb. 
        Collymore was looking bright and lively and a mistake by Chris Perry
     gave him another opportunity to add to his tally. 
        But Blackwell made up for his earlier error by clearing only yards from
     the goal line. 
        Jason McAteer then thundered in a 20-yard drive that went inches wide of
     the target and keeper Sullivan did well to tip away a useful shot from
     Fowler as Liverpool stepped up the pace. 
        Liverpool continued to press at the start of the second-half with
     Sullivan clearing from Collymore after Michael Thomas had threaded the ball
     through. 
        But Wimbledon are nothing if not battlers and their team spirit is one
     of the main reasons why they have become such an unlikely force in the
     Premiership. 
        And they stunned the Kop by equalising when Gayle played the ball
     through and keeper David James committed himself to the clearance. 
        However, he miss-timed his challenge allowing Leonhardsen to steer the
     ball into the empty net. 
        Anxious Liverpool manager Roy Evans then brought on Patrik Berger for
     Thomas in a bid to turn things around and it was not surprising that
     Wimbledon were forced to back pedal in the last 20 minutes. 
        McAteer got away from Neil Ardley only for Sullivan to beat away his
     shot. Then the keeper held a powerful effort by John Barnes as Wimbledon
     secured another point to keep them among the Premiership's elite. 


     KINNEAR ON COURSE TO REALISE EUROPEAN DREAM 

        Wimbledon manager Joe Kinnear is dreaming of Europe after his side
     stretched their unbeaten run to 15 games at Anfield today. 
        Stan Collymore put Liverpool ahead with a goal after only 33 seconds,
     only for Oyvind Leonhardsen to equalise in the 67th minute. 
        It means Wimbledon stay among the Premiership elite and Kinnear said:
     "We have got to be looking for a place in the top six. 
        "Wimbledon against Inter Milan, that's got a ring to it, hasn't it. We
     all have our dreams. 
        "Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal have to be the main
     title contenders. We have got to be realistic and aim for a place in Europe. 
        "It is a nice feeling talking about the title race. Usually we are more
     worried about relegation. 
        "My main wish is that we stay injury free as that we don't have the
     buying power of other clubs." 
        Liverpool were without Steve McManaman for today's game as he picked up
     a hamstring injury in the midweek draw with Everton. 
        And manager Roy Evans was forced to make another change after 16 minutes
     when centre back Dominic Matteo was carried off with a wound to the top of
     his head that needed five stitches. 
        Collymore replaced McManaman and couldn't have wished for a better start
     after a mistake by Dean Blackwell. 
        The crowd became increasingly frustrated, especially after Leonhardsen's
     leveller and a chorus of boos echoed around the stadium at the end. 
        Evans said: "I don't think we deserved that. The crowd's anxiety spread
     to the players. 
        "But we can't just hump balls forward, we are a passing side and no one
     should question our commitment. 
        "Of course it was frustrating and we are not firing on all cylinders. I
     feel we can do better but this is a tough old league." 

Back To: LIVERPOOL F.C.: Season 1996-1997 Matches
Back To: Main Menu Of LIVERPOOL F.C.