by David Walsh (Sunday Times)
Liverpool's yearning to return to the highest level hangs heavily over Anfield, and
on an afternoon when the club remembered Bill Shankly, there was a particular poignancy
to the longing. The Kop solemnly and sadly sang "Sha-ank-lee, Sha-ank-lee, Shank-lee,
Shank-lee" and the desire seemed overwhelming.
Exactly 40 years have passed since Shankly's first game in charge at Liverpool FC. It was
the beginning of an empire. Tommy Lawrence, Ron Yeats, Peter Thompson, Tommy Smith,
Kevin Keegan and many other former players came to pay their respects yesterday and if
Gerard Houllier had not fully understood the magnitude of his job, yesterday was a reminder.
Houllier's team is improving. This was the team's sixth consecutive home victory and it
swung on a moment of exquisite skill from Michael Owen. Three minutes of added time
had been played at the end of the first half when Owen, with his back to goal, received
from Dominic Matteo. Just as you thought there wasn't much on, Owen turned beautifully, tried
to go past Gary Breen, took a ricochet off Breen's leg and then left the Irish international
for dead. Breen could have done with a hole in the ground just then for as he turned to give
chase, Owen was flashing the ball past Magnus Hedman. One-nil to Liverpool but
much more than that: in this tight game, that goal changed the complexion of the match.
It was also an important moment for the young England striker. Between one injury and
another he hadn't scored at Anfield for nine months. This goal deserved to herald his
comeback for it was Owen at his sharpest.
Coventry were maybe a little unlucky. They smothered Liverpool through the first half and
should have gone in front after eight minutes but Noel Whelan's glancing header went the
wrong side of the post. That was as close as either side came to scoring before the lead
goal although Hedman did save well from David Thompson and Tita Camara.
The real drama of the opening half was the off-the-ball collision between Owen and
Breen in the 18th minute. As Owen lay on his back, all hell threatened to break loose.
Liverpool's other striker, Camara claimed Breen had elbowed his teammate, the crowd
bayed for vengeance and referee Andy D'Urso held summit meetings with his assistants. Most
impressive of all, Gordon Strachan left his seat in the stand, vaulted a 4ft wall and was at
the dug-out before anyone could say "red card".
Breen got just a yellow card, as most agreed the collision had been largely accidental.
According to Houllier, Owen didn't see what hit him, just as Breen wouldn't see what went
past him a half an hour later. Had the Liverpool manager seen Strachan's sprint to
the dug-out? "He just came to wish me a merry Christmas," said the Frenchman. So much for
strained Anglo-French relations.
Coventry were more ambitious in the second period; Whelan had a good chance to equalise
but was denied by an outstanding save from Sander Westerveld. He fastened onto Youssef
Chippo's deep cross and teed himself for what seemed a likely goal. Carlton Palmer had two
half-chances but Westerveld did well on the first and the midfielder did badly on the second.
Although Gary McAllister and Palmer did well in midfield, Coventry were not getting
enough from their strikers. Robbie Keane and Whelan couldn't get free of their markers and it
was a sobering afternoon for the 19-year-old Keane, who has been settling so well into life
in the Premiership.
As Coventry struggled for openings up front, their comeback lost its impetus and it was
killed off by a spectacular goal from Camara 16 minutes from time. Camara had enjoyed a
fine match; quick on the ball and a good passer, he continually opened things up for
others. His goal came from the top drawer, being struck from 25 yards with the kind of
power that leaves goalkeepers helpless. Hedman may have seen it.
Strachan was happy with many aspects of Coventry's performance: "Their crowd was
very quiet in the first half, we did many of the things I expected us to do. We had our chances
in the second half and until their second goal, I thought we would get something out of the game."
On a day when so many of the Anfield faithful were remembering their former and dearly
loved manager, Houllier enjoyed much of what he saw. "I wouldn't shout it, but I think we're
getting a bit more consistent," he said afterwards. In such a cathedral, Houllier was
right to keep his voice down.
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