The substitutes' board can be mistaken for the white flag. When Gérard Houllier took off Michael Owen in the 77th minute it looked as if the Liverpool manager had abandoned the bid for victory. It was as if the long-term health of the recently injured forward mattered more than improvement in league position. After all, there was only the 19-year-old Florent Sinima-Pongolle to replace him. Popular as he already is, he would not be expected to transform a game that seemed to have its heart set on a 1-1 draw. His youth, however, was no impediment to hoodwinking a callow defender. With two minutes remaining, his jink to the right bamboozled Zat Knight and the Fulham defender brought him down for a penalty that was converted with authority.
Kevin McKarra, Guardian
Liverpool hit their stride
Inspired by Steven Gerrard and the goals of Emile Heskey and Danny Murphy, Liverpool's victory over feisty Fulham at Loftus Road yesterday had 'Made In England' stamped all over it.
Henry Winter, Telegraph
Reds hail French flair as Fulham pay penalty
Timing is everything. As speculation over Michael Owen’s future intensified and Liverpool looked set to be leaving West London with one point, this contest was turned in Liverpool’s favour by a youngster who could very well, if Owen should leave the club, be his natural successor.
Alyson Ruud, The Times
Late Murphy goal rewards Houllier's new style
With 10 points still separating Liverpool from the Premiership peak, the prospects of their long wait for a first League title since 1990 concluding this season remain distant. However, their chances of regaining a place in the Champions League, and thereby earning Gérard Houllier another crack at the main prize, were significantly enhanced by yesterday's victory at Loftus Road Danny Murphy's 88th-minute penalty did not just bring Liverpool within two points of that lucrative fourth place, it also reaffirmed Houllier's - and his team's - belief in their new, adventurous approach. In the long term this could prove hugely important.
Glenn Moore, Independent