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Bramble Bites Back

Published by fiz on January 3, 2008

Liverpool’s Premier League title aspirations all but vanished yesterday with a 1-1 home draw against relegation-threatened Wigan Athletic which left them languishing 12 points behind leaders Arsenal.

Rafael Benitez’s side were booed off the field at Anfield after Wigan defender Titus Bramble fired a late equaliser to cancel out a classy opener from Fernando Torres.

Liverpool have now dropped out of the Premier League’s top four, Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Manchester City rising above them after a 2-0 victory at troubled Newcastle.

Brazilian Elano opened the scoring for City shortly before the interval and not even the second-half introduction of Michael Owen could inspire the Magpies as City doubled their lead through Fernandes Gelson.

City are fourth with 39 points, one more than Liverpool who have played a game fewer. Arsenal are top with 50 points, two ahead of champions Manchester United.

Liverpool’s draw will turn the spotlight back on coach Benitez as the Anfield club appear no closer to ending their long wait for a league title stretching back to 1990.

With Torres playing as a lone striker Liverpool huffed and puffed until the Spaniard started and finished a sweet move involving Steven Gerrard after 50 minutes for his 16th goal of the season.

Liverpool had chances to wrap up the points but an uncharacteristic mistake from Gerrard gave Wigan their first point against one of England’s so-called big four.

His weak clearance fell straight at the feet of Bramble who smashed the ball past Pepe Reina.

“We need to do everything nearly perfect now,” Benitez said when asked if his side’s title challenge was over. “When you lose points like today it’s very difficult. They had just one chance and drew.”

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