GERRARD NETS IN ROVERS DRAW
Paul Hassall at Prenton Park 24 July 2009
[LFC.TV]
Steven Gerrard capped a 64 minute run-out with a superb strike as a Liverpool XI needed a stoppage time penalty to earn a 2-2 draw with Tranmere Rovers on Friday night.
The Reds skipper hit a sizzling 25 yard equaliser to cancel out Chris Shuker's first-half opener, but it was down to substitute Adam Hammill to earn a share of the spoils with a 90th minute spot-kick after Gareth Edds looked to have won it for the hosts.
A pre-season Merseyside derby at Prenton Park was always going to spark local interest, but with the news of Gerrard's inclusion and the summer additions of ex-Reds John Barnes and Jason McAteer to the Rovers dugout, there was a real sense of anticipation in the air as kick-off approached.
The first opportunity of the match arrived on seven minutes and it was perhaps unsurprising that Gerrard was the architect of the move.
The Reds number eight fed Vincent Weijl on the left and after a surging run to the edge of the area, the young winger sent over a cross that Nathan Eccleston controlled before firing in a shot that was deflected over the top.
From the resulting corner the visitors came even closer, Robbie Threlfall powering a near post header just over from Gerrard's pinpoint corner.
It was a fast start, but as both sides began to settle there was little else of note in the opening half hour other than a speculative drive from Victor Palsson that seared way over the top.
Rovers had barely tested the Reds' rearguard but could have gone ahead on 35 minutes when Shuker raced down the right flank and cut the ball back for Terry Gornell who in turn set-up Ian Thomas-Moore to test David Martin with a rasping low drive.
Liverpool responded and after Gerrard hit the wall with a free-kick in a dangerous position, Palsson saw his tame header well held by Luke Daniels.
The home side were moving playing some neat football and deservedly capped a spell of late pressure with the opening goal of the game on 41 minutes.
A Paul McLaren's left-wing corner floated all the way to the far post where an unmarked Shuker had the simplest task of heading home from within the six yard box.
It was a poor piece of play from Liverpool's point of view and they began the second period determined to get back into the contest.
A superb pass from Gerrard released Amoo down the left flank and after a heavy first touch, the former Millwall man sent a low ball across the six yard box that Gerardo Bruna came within a cunt hair of touching home.
McMahon then introduced Hammill for Weijl, and the youngster made an instant impact, setting up Gerrard to crash a 25 yarder into the bottom left-hand corner on 56 minutes.
With the skipper's work done, the Reds made a flurry of changes and within seconds they could have been ahead. Nathan Eccleston seized upon a mistake by Ash Taylor but saw his low shot well blocked by Daniels.
As time ran out the hosts began to press for a winner and after Taylor forced a great save from substitute keeper Chris Oldfield, Edds thought he had won it with a looping header.
But Liverpool never gave up and after Hammill was brought down in injury-time, the winger stepped up to convert the kick himself and secure a draw for McMahon's men.
Tranmere Rovers: Luke Daniels, George Abbey (Alex Pursehouse 46), Aaron Cresswell, John Welsh, Ash Taylor, Gareth Edds, Chris Shuker (Craig Curran 64), Paul McLaren, Terry Gornell (Ryan Fraughton 64), Ian Thomas-Moore, Alan Mahon. Unused subs: Joe Collister, Josh MacAuley.
Liverpool Reserves: David Martin (Chris Oldfield 68), Emmanuel Mendy, Stephen Darby (Steven Irwin 46), Daniel Ayala (Chris Mavinga 64), Robbie Threlfall, Victor Palsson (Vitor Flora 64), Nathan Eccleston (Nicola Saric 68), Steven Gerrard (Andras Simon 64), Gerardo Bruna (Jordy Brouwer 68), David Amoo (Ryan Crowther 64), Vincent Weijl (Adam Hammill 55). Sub not used: Ken Smedley
Paul Hassall at Prenton Park 24 July 2009
[LFC.TV]
Steven Gerrard capped a 64 minute run-out with a superb strike as a Liverpool XI needed a stoppage time penalty to earn a 2-2 draw with Tranmere Rovers on Friday night.
The Reds skipper hit a sizzling 25 yard equaliser to cancel out Chris Shuker's first-half opener, but it was down to substitute Adam Hammill to earn a share of the spoils with a 90th minute spot-kick after Gareth Edds looked to have won it for the hosts.
A pre-season Merseyside derby at Prenton Park was always going to spark local interest, but with the news of Gerrard's inclusion and the summer additions of ex-Reds John Barnes and Jason McAteer to the Rovers dugout, there was a real sense of anticipation in the air as kick-off approached.
The first opportunity of the match arrived on seven minutes and it was perhaps unsurprising that Gerrard was the architect of the move.
The Reds number eight fed Vincent Weijl on the left and after a surging run to the edge of the area, the young winger sent over a cross that Nathan Eccleston controlled before firing in a shot that was deflected over the top.
From the resulting corner the visitors came even closer, Robbie Threlfall powering a near post header just over from Gerrard's pinpoint corner.
It was a fast start, but as both sides began to settle there was little else of note in the opening half hour other than a speculative drive from Victor Palsson that seared way over the top.
Rovers had barely tested the Reds' rearguard but could have gone ahead on 35 minutes when Shuker raced down the right flank and cut the ball back for Terry Gornell who in turn set-up Ian Thomas-Moore to test David Martin with a rasping low drive.
Liverpool responded and after Gerrard hit the wall with a free-kick in a dangerous position, Palsson saw his tame header well held by Luke Daniels.
The home side were moving playing some neat football and deservedly capped a spell of late pressure with the opening goal of the game on 41 minutes.
A Paul McLaren's left-wing corner floated all the way to the far post where an unmarked Shuker had the simplest task of heading home from within the six yard box.
It was a poor piece of play from Liverpool's point of view and they began the second period determined to get back into the contest.
A superb pass from Gerrard released Amoo down the left flank and after a heavy first touch, the former Millwall man sent a low ball across the six yard box that Gerardo Bruna came within a cunt hair of touching home.
McMahon then introduced Hammill for Weijl, and the youngster made an instant impact, setting up Gerrard to crash a 25 yarder into the bottom left-hand corner on 56 minutes.
With the skipper's work done, the Reds made a flurry of changes and within seconds they could have been ahead. Nathan Eccleston seized upon a mistake by Ash Taylor but saw his low shot well blocked by Daniels.
As time ran out the hosts began to press for a winner and after Taylor forced a great save from substitute keeper Chris Oldfield, Edds thought he had won it with a looping header.
But Liverpool never gave up and after Hammill was brought down in injury-time, the winger stepped up to convert the kick himself and secure a draw for McMahon's men.
Tranmere Rovers: Luke Daniels, George Abbey (Alex Pursehouse 46), Aaron Cresswell, John Welsh, Ash Taylor, Gareth Edds, Chris Shuker (Craig Curran 64), Paul McLaren, Terry Gornell (Ryan Fraughton 64), Ian Thomas-Moore, Alan Mahon. Unused subs: Joe Collister, Josh MacAuley.
Liverpool Reserves: David Martin (Chris Oldfield 68), Emmanuel Mendy, Stephen Darby (Steven Irwin 46), Daniel Ayala (Chris Mavinga 64), Robbie Threlfall, Victor Palsson (Vitor Flora 64), Nathan Eccleston (Nicola Saric 68), Steven Gerrard (Andras Simon 64), Gerardo Bruna (Jordy Brouwer 68), David Amoo (Ryan Crowther 64), Vincent Weijl (Adam Hammill 55). Sub not used: Ken Smedley
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