Fowler spot on but Owen steals show

LIVERPOOL overcame their nerves and then Aston Villa in a game of gathering dramas at Anfield last night.

Missing so many regulars. Roy Evans' makeshift side produced little of note until the second half, when Robbie Fowler's penalty relaxed them and led to two further goals, a magnificent run and strike from Steve McManaman and a final flourish from Karlheinz Riedle.

Although not on the scoresheet. Michael Owen proved the pivotal figure, running with gusto throughout. even during the long first-half periods when his team-mates stuttered.

He won the penalty which allowed Fowler. starting a game for the first time this season, to register his 11th goal in 10 games against Villa. Then, in the final minute. Owen raced through to set up Riedle. It was another fine display from a phenomenal prospect.

The hugely welcome return of Fowler, making his first start since April, was offset by the loss of almost half the team who started against Southampton on Saturday.

Evans has a decent side residing in the treatment room, not the dressing room. Paul Ince. Jason McAteer. Dominic Matteo and Mark Wright joined Jamie Redknapp. Oyvind Leonhardsen, Rob Jones. Steve Harkness and Neil Ruddock in the stands, although Riedle at least made the bench.

For all their problems. Liverpool began well. McManaman. wearing the captain's armband, presided over a thoroughly lively start, full of movement and belief, a period of real hope until Mark Draper shook Villa into life and local anxieties returned.

The Kop could have been forgiven for venting its first-half frustration as their team's early brio dissolved. One moment, Owen was vaulting hoardings such was his speed and determination after getting in a cross. The next minute. Michael Thomas was conceding possession.

Right before their very eyes. the Kop almost saw Villa take a fifth minute lead. Stan Collymore. jeered for ill-considered comments about his former club. unleashed a 20-yarder which David James palmed to his left. As Dwight Yorke slid in. James recovered to smother the danger.

Yet still there were signs of promise from Liverpool's makeshift side particularly from Owen. who was always willing to form the first line of defence. lan Rush-style.

Also on the credit side was the contribution of Jamie Carragher. a young midfielder who proved more than a stand-in centre-half. executing one exceptional penalty-box tackle on Dwight Yorke. His distribution will have pleased the watching Peter Taylor. the England U-21 coach. But these were the only plusses of a barren first period.

Villa appeared the more assured. particularly when Draper began to assert his control on proceedings. Ably assisted by the busy Simon Grayson. Draper began dispatching the ball to all parts of Anfield's sumptuous surface.

One cross-field pass to Fernando Nelson brought nods of approval even from the home support. Driven by Draper. Villa were improving all the time but failed to turn their possession into real penetration.

Bjorn Tore Kvarme cleared the danger as Yorke lurked and Stan Collymore headed the ball far wide, much to the Kop's delight.

Then, just before the half-hour. Draper again switched, this time from right to left, where Alan Wright waited unmarked. The wing-back's cross fizzed with danger, forcing Carragher into a hurried clearance. which he nearly sliced into his own net.

Liverpool began the second half as they had the first, running with vigour but this time sustaining the momentum. Murphy and Patrik Berger. with long-range efforts. hinted at a resurgence.

Then came the craved-for goal. admittedly from unpromising beginnings, hesitation in pointing to the spot, from where Fowler scored with such confidence it was hard to believe he had been away.

Villa. throwing caution to the winds. replaced lan Taylor. a midfielder. with a forward, Julian Joachim. This adventure almost paid off when Steve Staunton. encouraged to push forward. brought a stop from David James.

Liverpool. though, were in no mood to let things slip and. with 11 minutes remaining. McManaman swayed through. leaving a trail of defenders before unleashing a low. irresistible shot past Mark Bosnich.

And still there was more. As the Kop roared 'Stan. what's the score.' Owen dribbled through Villa's disorganised ranks before squaring the ball for Riedle to score.