Robert Green climbed Mount Kilimanjaro last summer, so he knows all about awkward ascents. West Ham's outstanding keeper certainly ensured that Liverpool's step on to the Premier League summit was a hugely painful affair on Monday night. Green's save from Yossi Benayoun's point-blank volley epitomised West Ham's nimble defiance.
 |
Liverpool fans chanted briefly about being top of the league, but their words lacked belief. Frustration was etched in every voice. This was a disappointment, an opportunity lost, another home stalemate to follow those against Stoke City and Fulham. For all their possession, Liverpool had made only a point, although a far bigger point had been made about their reliance on Fernando Torres, again hamstrung. "Torres gives them something different,'' said Gianfranco Zola, West Ham's manager.
With Robbie Keane failing to lead the line with the razor-like sharpness of Torres, Benitez kept switching his attackers as the game wore on, introducing David Ngog and then Ryan Babel, but to no avail. None is in Torres' class. With Liverpool bound to be linked to striking reinforcements in the January transfer window, particularly if Torres' hamstrings keep showing signs of vulnerability, Benitez was quick to scotch rumours of a bid for a former poacher. "We are not going for Michael Owen,'' he stressed.
He added that there was "no news'' on his own contract talks even though the club's co-owner, George Gillett, is in town and attended last night. Benitez wanted the deal sorted out quickly. "We are waiting for communication,'' he said, "maybe we have to finish conversations and just think about football.'' Ouch.
He was in slightly prickly mood, although clearly not wanting to betray his deep frustration over another failure to punish less-celebrated visitors. "The crowd can be disappointed over a draw at home but if they look at the papers they will see we are top,'' said Benitez and not since 2001 have Liverpool been top of the Premier League on Dec 1.
Maintaining their position will be difficult unless they start converting possession into goals. "It will be a very close title race between Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and maybe Arsenal,'' said Zola, whose popularity with Chelsea supporters will now rise even higher, if that is possible for such a Blues legend.
If Zola has undoubtedly instilled the right work ethic in his team, and got them fit, he was also grateful to Green. "He made some very good saves,'' he said. "He looks very comfortable. He's had some stick but he works very hard. I told him if he carries on like that he will be in the England team. He knows Fabio Capello will do the right thing.''
As everyone from Gillett to Graham Gooch looked on, Green was not alone in impressing for the visitors. His centre-halves, Upson and Collins, were similarly terrific, throwing themselves in the way of every cross or shot. Scott Parker sweated tirelessly in midfield while Bellamy kept the home defence on their toes.
He was at his raging best on his old stamping ground, lecturing a linesman and Liverpool players, and showing the determination Zola craved. He even came closest to recording a historic victory, his shot hitting a post.
The last time West Ham had won at Anfield She Loves You was at No 1 and Harold Macmillan was at No 10. Such fabled names as Martin Peters had been on target back in September 1963 and one of the West Ham players charged with repeating such a feat, Carlton Cole, seemed 10 years behind his time for a while. After a shocking opening, Cole improved, went close with a header, was unlucky with a couple of offsides but West Ham's main threat came from Bellamy.
The theme of the evening was relentless Liverpool pressure punctuated by occasional Bellamy breakaways. An old nemesis of West Ham's, Steven Gerrard, roamed everywhere, often out to the right where he delivered some threatening crosses. The man who broke Hammers hearts in the 2006 FA Cup final created Liverpool's best chance of the half, hoisting across a ball that Green punched out. Albert Riera drilled the ball back in but Collins cleared off the line.
Still Liverpool came. Sami Hyypia headed over. Gerrard shot into the side-netting. When Bellamy then hit that post, Anfield seethed with uncertainty. The fans' concern transmitted itself to the players, who redoubled their efforts. Dirk Kuyt saw shots blocked by Collins and Green. The keeper's finest moment came when pushing over that Benayoun volley.
Liverpool summoned up every training-ground trick in an attempt to beat Green. Gerrard varied the dead-ball chances, including cutting one free-kick back to Xabi Alonso, whose volley blazed over. Liverpool's malaise began to afflict Gerrard, who mis-kicked horribly.
"Attack, attack, attack,'' screamed the Kop as the clock ran down. "Defend, defend, defend'' echoed in West Ham minds. Collins and Upson headed clear, Green denied Kuyt as West Ham clung to a famous point.