Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool 2 Spurs 0: Hitman Kuyt gives under-fire Benitez breathing space
To say that the blip, as George Gillett called it yesterday, is now over might be a bit premature.[LNB]To say that it could yet be a turning point in Liverpool's troubled campaign could also amount to nothing more than wishful thinking.[LNB]There have been false dawns already this season, proving that it takes more than one result to revive an ailing team.[LNB]But this was a most important victory for Rafa Benitez and his beleaguered side, not least because of the manner in which it was won.[LNB] Spurs stunned: Dirk Kuyt opens the scoring for Liverpool[LNB] [LNB]Anfield was gripped by more than nervous tension last night. There wasan almost tangible fear, the sense that Liverpool would concede yet another late goal, sending stress levels through the roof for the Anfield faithful.[LNB]MATCH STATSLIVERPOOL...............TOTTENHAM5............Shots on target.............38............Shots off target.............21...............Blocked shots...............52...................Corners....................311......................Fouls....................172...................Offsides....................5346...........Total passes...........42262%.......Passing success.......73%28.............Total tackles..............2164%.......Tackles success.......76%45%............Possession...........55%54%.............Territory.............46%[LNB]When the fourth official signalled that there would be five minutes ofsecond-half stoppage time, a Kop haunted by the events of last week'sFA Cup encounter with Reading and the visit to Stoke that then followedwere horrified. That was far too much time for things to go wrong.[LNB]It was made all the more uncomfortable by the fact that Liverpool should have put three precious BarclaysPremier League points beyond Tottenham's reach long before the 90thminute. They had chances galore, with Dirk Kuyt, David Ngog andSotirios Kyrgiakos all going painfully close to adding to theirrepressible Kuyt's sixth-minute goal.[LNB]But a combination of poor finishing and quite brilliant goalkeeping from Heurelho Gomes ensured an anxious, extraordinary climax.[LNB] Point to prove: Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt celebrates scoring the second goal from the penalty spot[LNB]Only when a super move that was started by substitute Stephen Darby and continued with Kuyt was concluded with the sight of Sebastian Bassong crashing through Ngog did Anfield begin to relax. Howard Webb pointed to the penalty spot and invited Kuyt to add a second.[LNB]Even then, though, there was one more cruel twist. Lucas burst into the penalty area before the ball had been struck and, having scored with his first attempt, Kuyt had to do it all over again.[LNB]Liverpool celebrated wildly, because this was not just about taking a significant step towards the top four and those coveted Champions League places but restoring some confidence.[LNB]Scoring against Tottenham has proved no easy task for their opponents in recent weeks but Kuyt ended 633 minutes of near flawless defending when he struck with a superb right-foot shot.[LNB]Benitez would have been pleased that they protected the lead. This time Liverpool did not crumble under the considerable pressure. [LNB] Deadely Dirk: Kuyt sends keeper the wrong way to wrap up the points[LNB]This time they did not concede the late goals that had cost them on five other occasions this season.[LNB]Playing with a spirit epitomised by Jamie Carragher when he accelerated past Gareth Bale so quickly to win a corner he probably even surprised himself, they conquered Tottenham with a combination of style and steely determination.[LNB]That Alberto Aquilani was central to much that was good about Liverpool would also have given Benitez something of a lift. The injury-plagued Italian's �20million move to Anfield has not been an easy one but in occupying the role normally reserved for Steven Gerrard he did a thoroughly decent job. Most crucially, he set up Kuyt for the opening goal.[LNB]For Tottenham, of course, it was rather less encouraging. They have had a fine season so far but this came after a disappointing draw against Hull at the weekend and extended a run that must be a huge source of frustration for Harry Redknapp. It is now 65 games without a win when they visit so-called top four opposition.[LNB]They had their chances here. Not least when Jermain Defoe seized on a poor back-pass from Kyrgiakos and, after wrestling the ball off Pepe Reina, scored into an empty net. But Defoe was judged offside, and that looked a poor decision. [LNB] On his knees: Spurs striker Jermain Defoe shows his disappointment[LNB]That said, Tottenham failed to match Liverpool for sheer desire. Redknapp will be particularly upset by the way his side contrived to let Liverpool breach their defence. A fine piece of individual skill from Aquilani enabled him to deliver the ball to the feet of Kuyt, who then struck with a blistering right-foot shot, but the opportunity came as a result of a mistake by Michael Dawson.[LNB]With Carragher barking the orders on the pitch and Benitez directing from the technical area, there was an urgency about Liverpool's football that has too often been missing this season.[LNB]After the break more chances followed.[LNB]Albert Riera forced a fine save from Gomes with a looping header while a sweetly struck volley from Jermaine Jenas brought the best out of Pepe Reina.[LNB]Kuyt and Philipp Degen contrived to waste one chance and Kuyt then somehow missed with a point-blank volley, Gomes excelled in denying the Dutchman as well as Ngog and Kyrgiakos. Much to the relief of Liverpool, however, he could not stop Kuyt's late penalty. [LNB] [LNB] [LNB] [LNB] Liverpool's Alberto Aquilani rises above the Anfield huff and puffLiverpool boss Rafa Benitez pleased to be back in top four raceGuus Hiddink's agent 'has spoken to Liverpool' about replacing BenitezLiverpool in season from hell but Gillett still rates Rafa in top five in the worldGerrard blasts 'daft' quit rumours and of rift with Liverpool boss BenitezLIVERPOOL FC
