Crouch grabs late equaliser

Once again this season, Liverpool was punished for their missed chances. The Reds failed to add to their lead given to them in the first half by Yossi Benayoun. Villa hit back with two quick fire goals, but it was Peter Crouch who salvaged a point for Liverpool in the final minutes.

Liverpool started brightest, with Benayoun, Gerrard and Mascherano all firing wide. Villa’s first chance fell to Gardener as he disposed Aurelio, but his cross-cum shot evaded Agbonlahor at the far post. The Reds came back, and Harry Kewell’s shot was blocked by the Villa defence, at the expense of a corner. The resulting corner fell to Kuyt on the edge of the box, his reverse ball found the onrushing Benayoun, who’s first shot was saved, but he was on hand to sweep the ball into the Villa net.

It was just rewards for the home fans, who had got behind their manager with several verses of Rafa Benitez belted out around the Kop, and songs surrounding the Hicks-Gillette situation, which Liverpool sounded their disgust at. The goal took the Reds up a level, and Kuyt went close, but his effort fizzed wide. Gerrard and Kuyt neat passage of play found Aurelio, but his effort flew wide of the near post.

They continued the second half the way they finished the first, a neat passage of play found Kuyt, but his first touch was poor and he blazed wide, much to the frustration of the home faithful. Torres was denied by Taylor in the villa goal, as was Harry Kewell, as his long range effort was parried by Taylor. Arbeloa then came close after a patient passing move found him on the right, he cut in to his left, but his effort was to high.

Martin O’Neill brought on Harewood to increase Villa’s attacking options, and the substitute paid dividends straight away. A free-kick from the far side found Laursen, who headed down and Harewood’s over head kick beat Reina. Once again Liverpool had been punished for not taking their chances, and more punishment was to follow. Another free-kick wasn’t cleared, it fell to Mellberg, his effort was heading off target, until Aurelio went to block and diverted the ball into the net.

Two minutes beforehand and there was seemingly no way back for Villa, now they had the lead. Liverpool pushed forward in search of an equalizer, and substitute Peter Crouch delivered the goods when he volleyed home in the 88th minute. Liverpool pushed on for a winner, their final chance fell to Gerrard, but his attempted side footed strike only found the Kop as it groaned in anguish. Liverpool will look at this at two dropped points, but in the end was lucky to get a draw.

Alex Kirkham