Report by Steve Horton at Fratton Park

Liverpool's win at Portsmouth in the quest for Champions League qualification was far more comfortable than the scoreline suggests. Only some poor finishing prevented us from winning by far more, but the satisfaction of gaining three vital points was tempered by the disappointing news from Goodison Park.

Liverpool took to the field wearing in an unfamiliar strip of red shirts and shorts with white socks, perhaps deciding after last years two defeats that it was best to avoid changing the whole kit when not strictly necessary.

We could have got off to the worst possible start when Lua Lua took advantage of a hopeful punt, rounded Dudek and slotted the ball home. Luckily the goal was ruled out or offside and it was a real let off, as none of our defenders appeared to appeal for such a decision.

It woke us up and we immediately clicked into gear, with John Arne Riise putting a dangerous cross into the box and Milan Baros shooting straight at Ashdown after an error in the box by Stefanovic.

Bur after just four minutes we were in the lead when Fernando Morientes bundled the ball over the line after his first effort had been saved. It was a perfect tonic for Nando, who has looked a class act since he came but hasn't had the required service and also missed a few gilt edged chances when opportunities have arose.

He lapped up his celebration, which took place right in front of the Liverpool fans who took up two thirds of the Intercash Stand. We had got the first thing we asked for when the clouds had stayed away ensuring we'd remain dry, now the Reds had taken early control of a game in which the home side looked in total disarray.

We looked more than likely to extend our lead, with Portsmouth being woeful at the back. On one occasion De Zeuuw underhit a backpass but Baros was just too slow to react.

We were spraying the ball around for fun and they had no answer, but couldn't find a second. Both Finnan and Riise were dangerous down the flanks, with Riise going close with a volley that was identical to his one in the Carling Cup final.

In the 25th minute Morientes missed a glorious chance when he headed over the bar after Finnan had found him unmarked.

Despite our dominance our fans remained deathly quite most of the time. Maybe it was the long journey, maybe it was the crapness of the ground and the fact our end was open meaning a lot of noise was lost.

Or maybe it was the shock of being in a ground with two turnstiles for away fans and a tiny portakabin for toilets and inedible food.

One thing that did raise the voices was when the rested Steven Gerrard warmed up. His special song was sung louder than anything else. I've said my piece on Gerrard before but it infuriates me that fans continue to give him so much backing when as he refuses to commit to us for the future.

In contrast "we all dream of a team of Carraghers" was sung by about fifteen people.

Around the half hour mark Portsmouth got back into action and Kamara showed we can be vulnerable when he got a good cross in from the left but luckily for us nobody was in the box to convert.

They were buoyed by their fans, who had done them proud by singing throughout despite them playing do badly. The man with the cowbell at the back of the big stand behind the opposite goal was damn annoying though.

There was a huge scare on 31 minutes when Lua Lua lofted the ball over Dudek but the big Pole got back to palm it away for a corner. Just two minutes later Portsmouth were level after another error by Dudek. Failing to catch a corner, Steve Finnan cleared off the line only for Kamara to score with considerable help from the reds keeper.

This was a devastating blow as it seemed Portsmouth may really be able to regain the momentum. But their fans then took a turn for the worse and rather than celebrate by giving them further backing, preferred to sing a catalogue of songs about Southampton's impending relegation.

The team did emphasise their determination to concentrate on this game and Lua Lua went on a good run and laid off for Kamara, but Dudek managed to dive at his feet.

This scare brought Liverpool back to life and after Riise had shot wide, Luis Garcia regained the lead for us on the stroke of half time with a bullet header into the bottom corner of the net. It was a huge relief to get back in the lead and I really feel that if we had gone into half time at 1-1, we may well have gone on to lose.

We came out for the second half with the intention of extending the lead rather than sitting back on it, which was good news for fans not keen on a backs to the wall performance. Riise (twice), Baros and Smicer all had good chances in the first ten minutes but the best chance of the lot came to Portsmouth.

Hughes crossed from the right to Steve Stone who was unmarked eight yards from goal but he missed his kick and provided us with a huge let off.

Xabi Alonso tried a dipping volley for us, but we then became wary of the threat posed by Patrick Berger, who came on from Steve Stone to a great reception from the travelling Reds.

He still looked as comfortable on the ball as ever and threatened to shoot from all angles. He demonstrated this on 74 minutes when let fly from long range and forced Dudek into a flying save.

It was around this time that the text messages started coming in from those watching Sky at home, saying that Everton had taken a deserved lead against the Mancs and Gary Neville had been sent off.

This distracted our fans somewhat from what was still a good game, with Liverpool learning the lesson of Portsmouth’s visit to Anfield in December and attacking to the last.

Alonso forced a good save from Ashdown and Gerrard struck a free kick against the wall. Portsmouth never really threatened to equalise, except for a hopeful Skopilitis shot that went well wide.

The win was thoroughly deserved but there was dejection amongst support at the news of Everton's win over the Mancs. I haven't seen any of it, but from what was said United didn't put up too much of a fight.

For ten years Everton have took it up the arse from United and on Wednesday it was reciprocated. Moyes and Ferguson even went to the trouble of pretending to have an argument on the touchline.

With four games remaining, realistically the best I think we can get is nine points. That means that Everton only need seven points from their five games to be home and dry. It looks like a long overdue good away performance may have been too little too late.

 

Team: Dudek; Carragher, Hyypia, Traore; Finnan, Alonso, Biscan (Gerrard), Riise; Garcia (Smicer); Baros (Cisse), Morientes:

Agree or disagree? Email me at steve@liverpoolway.co.uk

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