Portsmouth stun Liverpool

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Topix: , Nadir Belhadj and Frederic Piquionne, Liverpool, September, Avram Grant, Benitez, Chelsea, Spaniard, Champions League, Lee Mason, Fulham, Mascherano, Premier League, Reds, Algeria, Belhadj, Jose Reina, Daniel Agger, Argentine, Tal Ben Haim, Frederic Piquionne, Kevin, Boateng, West Ham, Hammers

Liverpool boss Rafael , Benitez suffered a disastrous trip to Portsmouth after Javier , Mascherano was dismissed during a miserable 2-0 defeat at Fratton Park. Pompey’s victory, with the goals coming from Nadir , Belhadj and Frederic Piquionne, will ignite hope of survival, while , Liverpool chances of finishing in the top four remain uncertain — they missed a chance to record back-to-back league wins for the first time since September. It means , Avram Grant maintains his unbeaten record against Benitez after recording two wins and two draws during his time at , Chelsea in the 2008 season. Back then he ended the Spaniard’s , Champions League hopes at the semi-final stage — this time he has dented their chances of even qualifying for the competition. Benitez was furious with Lee Mason, who sent two Liverpool players off during the defeat to , Fulham earlier in the season, for his straight red for Mascherano, who will now miss four games through suspension. Rafa Benitez’s side, who are already out of the Champions League, have won just four of their last 17 matches in all competitions and face a desperate fight to salvage a place in the Premier League’s top four. The Reds, who are five points adrift of fourth place ahead of yesterday’s later games, fell behind in the 33rd minute when , Algeria defender Belhadj lashed a ferocious shot past , Jose Reina from a tight angle for his first goal of the season. That strike was the 500th in the , Premier League this season and Liverpool defender , Daniel Agger should have added to that tally, but wasted his side’s best chance when he headed over from close range. A dismal day for Liverpool got even worse when , Argentine midfielder Mascherano was dismissed by referee , Lee Mason for an ugly lunge on , Tal Ben Haim just before halftime. French striker , Frederic Piquionne piled on the misery for Liverpool boss Benitez, who is certain to face more heavy criticism after this defeat, when he finished off a Kevin-Prince Boateng-inspired move in the 82nd minute. Portsmouth, celebrating their second win under new manager Avram Grant, move level on points with second bottom West Ham, but remain behind the , Hammers on goals scored.

Author: John Mokwetsi
Published: Sat, 19th Dec 2009
Source: The Zimbabwe Standard