Source: Liverpool_Echo
Liverpool FC 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers: Full Time Match Report
Kop 300[LNB]RAFA BENITEZ had reason to smile again tonight after second half goals from Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun returned Liverpool to winning ways.[LNB]While this was not anything like the Reds at their vibrant best, their second performance against 10-man Wolverhampton Wanderers will have helped revive flagging confidence levels ahead of a huge test at Villa Park on Tuesday.[LNB]Liverpool, however, will need to improve on this showing against Aston Villa if they are going to fulfil Benitez's 'guarantee' that they will finish in the top four as, at times, they looked anything but Champions League contenders.[LNB]In fitting with the way things have gone over the past month, the first period was wretched, the lack of atmosphere in the stands being reflected by the alarming lack of goalmouth action on the pitch.[LNB]Though Liverpool's start was bright - Gerrard tested Wolves keeper Marcus Hahnemann from long range - the longer the game progressed without them threatening, the more apparent it became that their confidence was dwindling away.[LNB]Other than Fernando Torres having a goal disallowed for offside, the Reds never threatened to find a way through the visitors' defence; if anything, the team that looked most likely in the opening 45 minutes was clad in Old Gold.[LNB]With more composure, Kevin Doyle would have put Wolves in front on 24 minutes when he was left unmarked in Liverpool's six-yard but, to huge sighs of relief, he headed Nenad Milijas' corner over the bar.[LNB]Milijas is clearly a popular figure amongst Wolves' supporters but Glen Johnson did not enjoy his battle with the Serbian and he owed Pepe Reina a debt of thanks for coming to the rescue when Milijas teed-up Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.
