The reds' ended a run of three straight league defeats with a hard fought 3-1 victory over Leeds, as French youngster Florent Sinama-Pongolle came off the bench to register his first senior goal.
Gerard Houllier made one change to the side which disappointed so much last week at Portsmouth, restoring Michael Owen to the forward line and relegating Stephane Henchoz to the bench. That meant Igor Biscan keeping his place in the side, reverting back to the defensive role in which he has impressed in so far this season.
It was a huge show of faith in Biscan by Houllier, and it paid off as the big Croat produced a solid display alongside the equally steady Sami Hyypia. Many reds would like to see Henchoz restored to the defence immediately, and I'm one of them, but at the same time I can see why Houllier doesn't want to undermine his confidence by dropping him when he's done nothing wrong. It's a tough decision, but for the moment Igor has the shirt and it's up to Steph to bide his time and wait for his chance.
But it was the return of Owen which was the piece of team news which reds' fans had been waiting for. Liverpool's over-reliance on Michael is possibly the team's biggest weakness, and is something which really needs to be addressed quickly, particularly with Owen stalling on a new deal and looking destined for foreign shores when his present one expires.
That prospect of course seems unthinkable, but unless the fortunes of the club take a dramatic upturn between now and the end of the season, then our prize asset may finally decide he's had enough of carrying the team. For what it's worth, I wouldn't blame him.
Should that happen, and I desperately hope it doesn't, then today may have signalled the arrival onto the first team stage of Michael's natural successor. Florent Sinama-Pongolle has had to take a back seat thus far as his best pal has established himself as a regular face in the matchday squad, but today was his turn to show off his considerable talents.
Coming off the bench to replace Owen immediately after Danny Murphy had fortuitously restored the reds lead, the French youngster was irresistible. He scored one, and could easily have had a couple more. His pal Le Tallec has made all the headlines so far, but today was the day when Sinama stepped out of his shadow.
The boy is a livewire. Last week at Pompey he had three chances to score, he hit a double for the reserves in midweek and today he was a threat from the moment he stepped onto the field. Quite simply, he makes things happen, and although he is still raw and does miss a lot of chances, with a bit more experience this kid will be a real asset to the club.
I've criticised Gerard Houllier for many things, and I stand by everything I've said. But I give him great credit for bringing Le Tallec and Sinama to the club. It's nice to see him giving them a chance in the side too, even if injuries may have forced his hand somewhat.
Liverpool played well today, and fully deserved the margin of the victory. It could, and should have been more. Chances went begging again, and it's slightly worrying that it needed a Paul Robinson howler to put Liverpool back in control of a game they should have had won by half time.
The reds took charge from the moment Jeff Winter blew for kick off. Gerrard was imperious as ever in midfield, whilst Kewell Diouf and Smicer were looking lively in support of the front two. Even Heskey looked up for this one, but then he usually is against Leeds for some reason.
Owen didn't look fit, but it was still obvious that if anyone was going to break the deadlock it would be him. He duly obliged with a wonderful half volley from 12 yards after Riise had headed down for him. Left foot too. Michael really is a great all round goalscorer these days. That's a tribute to his hard work in training.
Riise's form has been the subject of much discussion recently, and he started this game like a man with something to prove. He covered an enormous amount of ground in the first half, charging forward to join in with every attack, but he was having trouble dealing with the dangerous Jermaine Pennant.
The on loan Arsenal winger looks a really good player, and deserves to be playing for a better side than Leeds. Maybe he's someone we should be looking at next summer? Looking at him was all Riise could do just before half time, when the youngster showed him a clean pair of heels before squaring for Alan Smith to give the visitors an undeserved equaliser.
It was a terrible time for the reds to concede, and there was an element of 'here we go again' when it went in. Liverpool had thrown away leads against Charlton and Arsenal, and they showed great character to come out for the second half and take control of the game again.
If there is a lack of confidence in the squad at the moment, it certainly didn't show. Diouf was wonderful, giving Olembe a torrid time at left back, and showing his usual great appetite for work as well as his sublime skill. The only thing missing with Dioufy is end product, although he did produce a thunderous drive in the first half which Robinson parried away well.
Robinson played well for the Yorkshiremen, and it was somewhat cruel that it should be his error which led to his side's demise. Substitute Murphy, on for the injured Smicer, curled in a free kick from the left, which eluded everyone and was fumbled into his own net by the young England keeper.
A linesman's flag threatened to cut short Liverpool's celebrations, but after a brief consultation with his assistant, Jeff Winter pointed to the centre circle, much to Peter Reid's disgust. Reidy wasn't happy, and was kicking off on the touchline. If the linesman had flagged for offside, then Reid may have a point. If the flag was to indicate that it was an indirect free-kick, then the goal had to stand because Robinson got the last touch.
Owen made way for Sinama-Pongolle, and after that it was all Liverpool. Gerrard and Diouf were the main instigators, although Kewell was always lively without hitting the heights he has in recent weeks. Diouf should have made it 3-1 after great work by Sinama, but he somehow shot wide after dummying his way past two defenders.
Sinama was denied by a great stop from Robinson after he had chested down a long ball from Hyypia and hammered a shot goalwards. The kid was all over the place, tracking back and making tackles, and he really managed to get under the skin of the Leeds defenders. Even the normally mild mannered Dominic Matteo saw the red mist, and went right through the back of the French starlet, picking up a yellow card for his troubles.
As the clock ran down, Leeds became more adventurous, and the reds understandably seemed to get a bit jittery. The third goal was needed to settle things, and Sinama duly obliged with a goal out of nothing. His great pace allowed him to nip in front of Matteo, and then expertly slide the ball past Robinson to open his senior account.
The win takes some of the pressure off Gerard Houllier, and with Manchester United slipping up at home to Fulham, it's been a good day for the reds. Chelsea won however, and it's going to take a monumental effort to get back into the title race.
If we're honest, fourth place is probably the best we can hope for. That's not good enough of course, but rather than call for Houllier's head, I'm prepared to see how things develop with this more attacking approach he has adopted.
I would have replaced him last summer, but the fact is he's still here, he's done what I wanted in terms of changing the style of play, and I'm interested to see how things develop. Ultimately I don't think he'll succeed, but at least I'm starting to enjoy watching the team again.
Team: Jerzy Dudek; Steve Finnan, Igor Biscan, Sami Hyypia, John Arne Riise; El Hadji Diouf, Steven Gerrard, Harry Kewell (Anthony Le Tallec), Vladimir Smicer (Danny Murphy); Michael Owen (Florent Sinama-Pongolle), Emile Heskey:
