APRIL 17
Gerrard: We need 5 good displays

By Paul Eaton - LFC Official Website

Steven Gerrard says Liverpool will pick up a lot of points over the last five games of the season if they perform as they did against Spurs at Anfield.

Liverpool were held to a 2-2 draw by Spurs but Gerrard has dismissed suggestions the Reds were once again affected by playing a European game just days before.

Indeed, the Reds' skipper believes the performance should have warranted maximum points and he insists that, with 15 points still to play for, there is still every chance of the Reds catching Everton.

He said: "It wasn't a case of us not playing well after a European game in the week. Once we settled down Tottenham didn't get a look-in and that's why the boys are so frustrated with the result. We played well, we created chances and if we play like that over the next five games I'm sure we'll pick up a lot of points.

"We'll keep trying to catch Everton. The manager told us after the game to forget about the Tottenham result now and look forward to the last five games in the Premiership. We need five good performances in these games and I can tell the fans we won't give up in the battle for fourth."

Gerrard was happy to come through the Spurs game after missing the clash in Juventus with a groin injury.

"I was a bit worried before the game because I didn't know if I was going to come through but it held up well and now hopefully I can get a couple of good training sessions in before the game on Wednesday," he added.

APRIL 16
Rafa rues missed chances

By Peter ORourke - Planet Football/Sky Sports

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was disappointed to see his side only draw with Tottenham at home.

The draw saw Liverpool drop down to sixth place in the table to leave them facing an uphill battle to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League.

Benitez was happy with his side's performance and believes they did more enough to win.

"We played a very good game," said Benitez.

"For the last 15 minutes of the second half we played good high tempo football. The players worked very hard and we had shots, got crosses into the box, missed a penalty.

"(Fernando) Morientes missed two great chances and Luis Garcia had a really good chance.

"I thought we were unlucky and I am a frustrated manager. The only thing is you must score when you have great chances."

Benitez singled out Xabi Alonso for special praise for his showing as he made his second start after long-term injury.

"Xabi played well. At half-time he was a little tired and I thought about taking him off but then he can the ball and make things happen," added Benitez.

"He did very well and he is very important to us."

APRIL 16
Stevie says sorry after penalty agony

By Paul Eaton - LFC Official Website

Steven Gerrard has held his hands up and accepted the blame after his missed penalty cost the Reds the chance of three points against Tottenham.

Liverpool had to settle for a 2-2 draw after goals from Luis Garcia and Sami Hyypia saved a point for the home side who were twice forced to come from behind.

But it could have been a crucial victory for Rafa's men had Gerrard not blazed his second half penalty high and wide after he had been sent tumbling inside the area.

He said: "I'm very frustrated over the penalty miss because I should have scored it. I'd like to apologise to the fans and the players for not scoring. I blame myself for the fact we haven't won today.

"I decided to go for power and kept my head down as I ran to the ball. The lads have told me their goalkeeper went early so if I'd looked at him I would have been able to pass the ball in.

"The last time I took a penalty I went for placement and missed so that's why I went for power this time. I think that's the end of me on penalties from now on.

"I could have won it from open play as well with a shot which hit the post, but it just wasn't my day today. I hope to get the chance to make amends over the remaining games of the season.

"We dominated the last ten minutes of the first half and all of the second so it's really disappointing that we haven't got the three points."

APRIL 16
Reds held by Spurs

By Peter ORourke - Planet Football/Sky Sports

Tottenham dented Liverpool's UEFA Champions League hopes with a 2-2 draw at Anfield.

Liverpool were forced to come from behind twice to earn a draw as they slipped to sixth spot in the table courtesy of Bolton's win at Charlton.

Spurs led twice through Erik Edman and Robbie Keane, but goals from Luis Garcia and Sami Hyypia drew Liverpool level with Steven Gerrard missing a second half penalty as Liverpool were brought down to earth after their midweek European heroics.

After a quiet start from both sides Spurs broke the deadlock on 12 minutes with a spectacular strike from Edman in their first noteworthy attack.

There looked very little danger for Liverpool when Edman picked up the ball fully 35 yards out, but the Swede unleashed an unstoppable swerving shot into the top corner to leave Jerzy Dudek rooted to the spot.

The goal stung Liverpool into action and Antonio Nunez fired a left-footed shot over the top a minute later.

Spurs captain Ledley King had a half chance on 19 minutes when he rose highest to meet a long throw-in from Stephen Kelly, but his header lacked the power to trouble Dudek.

Fernando Morientes created a chance for Stephen Warnock on 21 minutes with some neat approach play on the edge of the box, but the youngster could only curl his shot wide.

It was one of Warnock's last involvements in the game as he was forced off after 34 minutes and had to be replaced by John Arne Riise.

Nunez had a sight of goal on 36 minutes, but the Spaniard dragged his shot well wide of the target.

Gerrard tried to lift Liverpool and he tried his luck with a volley from the edge of the box which bounced into the ground and through to Paul Robinson who saved well at his near post.

Liverpool drew themselves level a minute before the break with a superb strike from Garcia.

Steve Finnan fed the little Spaniard 30 yards out and he cleverly turned Edman before curling a brilliant shot past Robinson into the top corner of the net.

The home side could have taken the lead right on the stroke of half time when Gerrard picked Morientes out inside the box with a fine free kick, but Robinson produced a superb save to keep out the striker's header.

There was still time in the half for Keane to volley over the top after latching onto Fredi Kanoute's flick-on.

Spurs missed a great chance to restore their lead on 50 minutes when Kanoute headed Andy Reid's corner wide after finding himself unmarked in the box.

The visitors did grab a second goal on 55 minutes when Kanoute latched onto a long clearance from Robinson and dug out a fine cross for Keane and the Irishman's header took a slight deflection off Jamie Carragher to wrongfoot Dudek.

Liverpool were handed the chance to draw level two minutes later when they were awarded a penalty after Gerrard had been tripped in the box by Michael Carrick.

However, Gerrard wasted the opportunity by drilling his spot kick horribly wide of the target.

Seconds later the play switched straight to the other end when Liverpool failed to deal with another long clearance from Robinson and the ball broke nicely to Kanoute on the edge of the box, but he saw his shot fly just over the crossbar.

Liverpool fought back to draw level again on 63 minutes with Hyypia expertly volleying home from the edge of the box after Kanoute failed to properly clear Gerrard's cross.

Garcia made a chance for himself two minutes later when he brilliantly controlled the ball inside the box, but instead of crossing he tried a shot from wide on the left which flew over the top.

Finnan came close to firing Liverpool in front on 69 minutes when Gerrard cleverly played the full back through on goal, but he dragged his shot just wide of the far post.

Liverpool were laying siege to the Tottenham goal and the impressive Xabi Alonso tried his luck with an ambitious effort from inside his own half which Robinson comfortably saved.

The Spanish midfielder then had another chance from a free kick from the edge of the box which hit the side-netting.

Spurs almost went in front for a third time on 84 minutes when the Liverpool defence stood off Simon Davies on the edge of the box and the Welshman hit a superb chip which Dudek did well to tip over the crossbar.

Garcia wasted a good opening two minutes later when he was teed up by Riise on the edge of the box, but the little Spaniard horribly blazed his shot into the Kop.

Liverpool came agonisingly close to grabbing the winner in the final minute when Gerrard saw a fierce shot from the edge of the box strike the base of the post.

There was still time for Morientes to miss a golden chance to net the winner when Finnan picked him out on the penalty spot, but leaning back he fired his shot over the crossbar as Spurs held on for a point.