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

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. 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. 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. Heads up: Steven Gerrard gives Liverpool the lead at Anfield As Wolves boss Mick McCarthy said: 'Liverpool needed a break and they got one.' 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. 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. But Ward was booked for barging over Yossi Benayoun soon after therestart and when his shove on Lucas was eventually punished, Liverpooltook over. Support for the gaffer: Benitez has the backing of at least one Liverpool fan 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. 'It is tough to play anyone in the Premier League but against 10 men you get more time and space,' he said. 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. Early bath: Referee Andre Marriner gives Stephen Ward his marching ordersBoxing day buddies: Liverpool goalscorer's Yossi Benayoun and Steven Gerrard  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