Liverpool 2 Wolves 0: Ward's red card opens the door for Gerrard

26 December 2009 23:38
[LNB]Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was saved by his Captain Fantastic, Steven Gerrard, on a stormy night that saw Wolves midfielder Stephen Ward sent off after the intervention of the fourth official. [LNB]Gerrard broke Wolves' hearts with his most important headed goal since the 2005 Champions League Final in Istanbul, ending a dismal Liverpool run that had placed question-marks over troubled manager Rafael Benitez's future. [LNB]FIFA need to sort out the role of the fourth official influencing referees, but that was hardly a worry for the Spaniard as the dismissal of Ward helped to lift Liverpool out of the doldrums and could possibly turn their season around. [LNB] [LNB] Heads up: Steven Gerrard gives Liverpool the lead at Anfield [LNB] [LNB] As Wolves boss Mick McCarthy said: 'Liverpool needed a break and they got one.' [LNB]Benitez had seen his side win just three of their previous 12 gamesand they struggled for as long as Wolves had 11 men on the pitch.[LNB] Despite a first Premier League start for £20million AlbertoAquilani, it was Wolves who had the better chances in the first half,particularly when Kevin Doyle headed wide from four yards. [LNB]But Ward was booked for barging over Yossi Benayoun soon after therestart and when his shove on Lucas was eventually punished, Liverpooltook over. [LNB]Support for the gaffer: Benitez has the backing of at least one Liverpool fan[LNB] [LNB]Nine minutes later, Emiliano Insua raided down the left and producedan excellent cross for Gerrard to rise above two Wolves defenders andpower in a header. Benitez admitted it was a turning point. [LNB]'It is tough to play anyone in the Premier League but against 10 men you get more time and space,' he said. [LNB]Gerrard celebrated his opener with all the gusto of the ChampionsLeague final, adding: 'We are all hurting at the moment, the playersand the fans, who were getting on our backs a bit. We were nervous attimes, but we knew if we had the belief it would come, and it did.[LNB] Early bath: Referee Andre Marriner gives Stephen Ward his marching orders[LNB]Boxing day buddies: Liverpool goalscorer's Yossi Benayoun and Steven Gerrard [LNB] [LNB] Rafa on the warpath: Irate Liverpool boss Benitez set to confront McCarthyTorres will not be undergoing surgery, says Liverpool manager BenitezLIVERPOOL FC

Source: Daily_Mail