Liverpool, rebuked by their increasingly impatient supporters for doing just enough to beat Manchester City last Wednesday, were punished yesterday for adopting a similar policy against Portsmouth in pursuit of an FA Cup quarter-final place. A landmark goal by Michael Owen - the England striker notching his 150th goal in his 280th appearance for his club - gave Liverpool the advantage in only 69 seconds and set the stage for them to deal comfortably with Harry Redknapp's team. The desire to go for the jugular against wounded opponents was yet again lacking though, and Portsmouth, on one of their rare counter-attacks, snatched a replay to be staged next Sunday. They also stole the initiative in the tie and, despite a crop of injuries, will fancy their chances of repeating the League victory they enjoyed at Fratton Park in October.
William Johnson, Telegraph
Liverpool sit back and Gerrard is left to walk alone
You'll never walk alone. As he eased his way out of Anfield last night and off to a short holiday in France, Gérard Houllier must have sensed some irony creeping into Liverpool's famous anthem. Boos once again greeted Liverpool at home and not just because Portsmouth scored a 77th-minute equaliser through their substitute Matthew Taylor in front of the Kop. Seconds before Alexei Smertin's break down the right to set up Taylor the Liverpool fans had launched into a chorus, another one, of "attack, attack, attack". There is something wrong at Anfield. Last Wednesday Houllier suffered from the fans when they saw him introducing Igor Biscan for Bruno Cheyrou when leading 2-1 against Manchester City in the Premiership. Yesterday the Kop did its best to generate an atmosphere worthy of the FA Cup, but even though Michael Owen put Liverpool ahead after only 69 seconds and Portsmouth looked set for "a real chasing" in the words of their manager Harry Redknapp, Liverpool proved incapable of pummelling nervous and weakened opposition.
Michael Walker, Guardian
Liverpool fail to capitalise on Owen's early strike
Another profoundly frustrating afternoon for Liverpool culminated in an unlikely equaliser for Portsmouth at Anfield yesterday. Michael Owen's second-minute strike provided the ideal platform for a convincing victory, but just when it seemed Portsmouth had given up hope, Matthew Taylor, only on the field for 10 minutes, converted his side's only realistic second-half opportunity to set up a replay at Fratton Park on Sunday. It should have been no more than a consolation but Liverpool's failure to score a decisive second goal - a combination of fine goalkeeping from Shaka Hislop and some sub-standard finishing - left them vulnerable to the sucker punch. As the match wore on, the home supporters became more and more disenchanted. "Attack, attack, attack," the disgruntled Kop had implored, before and after Pompey's late reply. Gérard Houllier, the Liverpool manager, must only wish it were that simple.
Dan Murphy, Independent
Weary Houllier just can't win
As anxiety began to filter around Anfield yesterday afternoon, with Liverpool’s 1-0 lead suddenly beginning to look a little fragile, Gérard Houllier may have encountered an uncomfortable feeling of déjà vu. Four days earlier he had been jeered by his own supporters for making a defensive substitution that was designed to secure a victory over Manchester City. On this occasion he resisted the temptation to call for Igor Biscan, perhaps for fear of a popular revolt, and he lived to regret it. Were he in a more comfortable position, the embattled manager might have declared: “I told you so.” Houllier did not hang around for long after seeing Matthew Taylor’s 77th-minute equaliser for Portsmouth, but, as he headed to France for a short break, the cumulative derision of the home crowd at the past two matches must still have been ringing in his ears. Once the most loved manager in the Barclaycard Premiership, he was jeered last Wednesday for protecting a 2-1 lead against City and he was jeered again yesterday for doing the opposite. Damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t — and this, do not forget, is by a support that is renowned for being the most educated in the land. Results are no longer enough for Houllier. They need to be allied to top-quality performances if the restless natives are to be appeased. Liverpool produced the necessary style for long periods, with the wonderful Steven Gerrard ensuring that they did not sit back on the lead that was given to them by Michael Owen after just 68 seconds, but the substance they required deserted them when it mattered most. They allowed Portsmouth to behind get them for the first time in the afternoon and Taylor, who had only been on the field six minutes, took the opportunity. Houllier looked weary at the final whistle and he was not the only one. Gerrard was justifiably exhausted, having nothing but sweat to show for a colossal performance in midfield, while Owen took off his shirt as he trudged towards the dressing-room, no doubt haunted by the prospect of another piece of silverware passing him by. An important series of contract talks lie ahead for Owen and, if Portsmouth have knocked them out of the FA Cup by the time his agent sits down with the Liverpool hierarchy at the start of next month, it may be difficult for him to avoid the temptation to pursue a new challenge elsewhere.
Oliver Kay, Times
