Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games

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Number 47

Fixture: Liverpool 3-1 Fulham
Date: 05 Feb 2005
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool: Dudek, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Riise (Warnock 89), Biscan (Hamann 65), Gerrard, Luis Garcia, Baros (Smicer 82), Morientes.

Subs: Carson, Pellegrino.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 47 and a 3-1 win over Fulham from 2005.

Fernando Morientes scored a fantastic header as Liverpool beat Fulham at Anfield.

The former Real Madrid man gave the Reds the lead when he met Luis Garcia's inviting cross and powered a header beyond the reach of Edwin Van Der Sar.

Andy Cole equalised for Fulham but the Rafa Benitez's side sealed the points with a determined second half display.

Sami Hyypia made it 2-1 with a great header from Steven Gerrard's cross and Milan Baros made certain of the points when he put a finish to John Arne Riise's cross.

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Hyypia Goal

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Number 46

Fixture: Liverpool 3-0 Tottenham
Date: 23 Sep 2006
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool: Reina, Riise, Agger, Hyypia, Finnan, Gonzalez (Aurelio 77), Alonso (Carragher 84), Sissoko, Gerrard, Bellamy (Luis Garcia 69), Kuyt.

Subs: Crouch, Dudek.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 46 and a 3-1 win over Tottenham from 2006 featuring a brilliant goal from John Arne Riise.

Liverpool produced a superb second half performance to sink Spurs at Anfield.

After a goalless first half the Reds roared into action and laid siege to Paul Robinson's goal as they attacked the Kop.

Mark Gonzalez opened the scoring after Craig Bellamy had hit the post. Dirk Kuyt made it 2-0 with a crisp finish after a through ball from Luis Garcia.

Then in the final minute Riise made it 3-0 with a 30-yard blockbuster.

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Gonzalez Goal

Kuyt Goal

Riise Goal

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Number 45

Fixture: Liverpool 3-0 Portsmouth
Date: 19 Nov 2005
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool: Reina, Warnock, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Zenden, Gerrard (Josemi 83), Hamann, Garcia (Morientes 22), Cisse (Alonso 69), Crouch.

Subs: Dudek, Traore.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 45 and a win over Portsmouth from 2005.

Peter Crouch missed a penalty as he continued his much-publicised goal drought, but strikes from Bolo Zenden, Djibril Cisse and Fernando Morientes gave the Reds all three points.

The opening goal came after Crouch saw his penalty saved and Zenden followed up to score.

Cisse doubled the lead after 38 minutes when his cross turned shot from the right deceived Jamie Ashdown and flew into the top corner of the Kop net.

Substitute Morientes added a third goal and only the heroics of Ashdown denied the Reds from increasing their lead.

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Number 44

Fixture: Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle United
Date: 19 Dec 2004
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool: Dudek, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Kewell (Traore 85), Alonso, Gerrard, Luis Garcia (Nunez 73), Baros, Mellor (Sinama-Pongolle 75).

Subs: Hamann, Harrison.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 44 and a win over Newcastle United just before Christmas 2004.

A freezing Anfield crowd were suitably warmed up by an impressive Liverpool display against the Geordies.

Despite going behind to a controversial goal when a clearly offside Patrick Kluivert slotted home, the Reds responded well with the front pairing of Milan Baros and Neil Mellor causing all sorts of problems.

Titus Bramble equalised for Liverpool when he headed into his own net at the Kop end from a corner and Mellor made it 2-1 with a cool finish.

Baros made it 3-1 when he raced onto a Harry Kewell throughball, rounded Shay Given and hit home at the Anfield Road end.

It was an unhappy return for Graeme Souness who saw his side reduced to 10 men following a nasty challenge from Lee Bowyer.

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Mellor's Goal

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Number 43

Fixture: Liverpool 3-0 Wigan Athletic
Date: 03 Dec 2005
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool: Reina, Warnock, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Kewell (Riise 62), Alonso (Hamann 67), Gerrard, Luis Garcia, Crouch (Cisse 74), Morientes.

Subs: Carson, Josemi.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 43 and a memorable day for Peter Crouch against Wigan in 2005.

Crouch ended his much-publicised goal drought in style by bagging a brace as Liverpool turned on the style against Wigan at Anfield.

The dubious goals committee even tried to take the opening goal off him when he found the net with a deflected strike from 20-yards out.

A terrific roar greeted the goal and Crouch ran half the length of the pitch in celebration before being mobbed by his teammates and saluting an ecstatic Kop.

There was no doubting his second goal though three minutes before the break, when he kept his composure to delightfully lob the advancing keeper.

Luis Garcia added a third goal in the second half but the day belonged to Crouch.

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Crouch's Two Goals At Beginning Of Vid

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Number 42

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 42 and a memorable day for Milan Baros against Crystal Palace in 2004.

Liverpool saw off the challenge of Palace thanks to hat-trick hero Baros.

The Czech striker was on fire against the Eagles and it was a thrilling encounter.

Baros opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Joonas Kolkka equalised after 44 minutes.

However, a minute later Baros made it 2-1 to give the Reds a half-time lead.

Slack defending saw Palace go back in front thanks to a free header from Michael Hughes, but in the last minute Baros was brought down and he converted the resulting penalty at the Kop end to seal a 3-2 win.

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Number 41

Fixture: Liverpool 3-0 Bolton Wanderers
Date: 26 Dec 2008
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool: Reina, Insua, Agger, Hyypia, Carragher, Riera (El Zhar 69), Alonso, Gerrard (Lucas 73), Benayoun, Keane, Kuyt (Ngog 77).

Subs: Babel, Cavalieri, Darby, Mascherano.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 41 and a memorable Boxing Day for Robbie Keane.

Republic of Ireland star Keane fired a second half double as Liverpool produced a superb display to sink Bolton Wanderers.

Fresh from his superb goal in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal, the number seven showed the form that prompted Rafa to bring him to Anfield.

Albert Riera opened the scoring with a terrific finish from a Steven Gerrard corner and in the second half Keane and Liverpool showed their class.

Keane fired two goals in six minutes to put an end to a run of three straight league draws on home soil, and it was a happy day all round as Rafa returned to Anfield following his illness.

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Riera Goal

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Number 40

Fixture: Portsmouth 2-3 Liverpool
Date: 07 Feb 2009
Venue: Fratton Park

Liverpool: Reina, Agger, Carragher, Skrtel, Arbeloa, Dossena (Alonso 66), Aurelio, Mascherano, Benayoun, Babel (Torres 76), Ngog (Kuyt 55).

Subs: Cavalieri, El Zhar, Hyypia, Riera.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 40 and a thrilling victory on the South Coast.

Fernando Torres came off the bench to score a dramatic injury time winner as Liverpool gained a vital three points at Fratton Park.

The Reds twice came from behind through Fabio Aurelio and Dirk Kuyt before El Nino's ninth goal of the season saw them temporarily leapfrog Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

Eyebrows were raised at the start of the game when Rafa left Torres, Xabi Alonso, Kuyt and Albert Riera on the bench. Without injured skipper Steven Gerrard, Aurelio played in an experimental central midfield role.

David Nugent gave Pompey the lead but Aurelio equalised direct from a fantastic free-kick.

Hermann Hreidarsson restored Pompey’s lead with an unmarked header on 77 minutes before the late drama unfolded.

Kuyt equalised with a fantastic strike on 84 minutes before Yossi Benayoun created the winner. His superb left wing cross was met by the head of Torres who powered the ball beyond the reach of David James for 3-2.

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All LFC & Pompey Goals

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Number 39

Fixture: Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal
Date: 14 Feb 2009
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool: Dudek, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Kewell, Alonso (Hamann 74), Sissoko (Luis Garcia 84), Gerrard, Fowler (Cisse 80), Morientes.

Subs: Carson, Traore.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 39 and a Valentine's day to remember from Luis Garcia.

Luis Garcia came off the bench to score the winner three minutes from time.

The number 10 had only been on the field a matter of minutes when he converted from close-range to seal a well-deserved 1-0 victory for the Reds.

Steven Gerrard had earlier saw his 32nd minute penalty-kick saved by Jens Lehman and despite enjoying near total domination it looked like being another frustrating night in front of goal as a succession of chances went begging until the diminutive Spaniard intervened.

It was a fitting performance on the night a new generation of Liverpool fans remembered the amazing achievements of former manager Bob Paisley. On the 10th anniversary of his death, Paisley's memory was honoured with a rapturous round of applause prior to kick-off.

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Garcia Goal

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Number 38

Fixture: Liverpool 3-1 Blackburn
Date: 13 Apr 2008
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Carragher, Skrtel, Arbeloa, Babel (Benayoun 59), Alonso (Riise 88), Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Torres (Voronin 85).

Subs: Hyypia, Itandje.

We continue our countdown of ’Rafa’s 100 Greatest Premier League Games’ with number 38 and a special day for Fernando Torres against Blackburn in 2008.

El Nino become the first player in Liverpool history to net in seven successive top-flight games at Anfield as the Reds saw off the challenge of Blackburn Rovers.

Torres' 30th goal of the season arrived in the 82nd minute when he headed home at the Kop end after a cross from Steven Gerrard.

It was the introduction of Yossi Benayoun that turned the game in Liverpool's favour just ahead of the hour mark.

Within a minute of his arrival Liverpool made the breakthrough when a move instigated by the Israeli led to Gerrard finishing superbly.

Substitute Andriy Voronin netted the other goal while Roque Santa Cruz hit a brilliant consolation for Blackburn.

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Liverpool-Bolton Analysis

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Number 37

Fixture: Liverpool 4-0 Sheffield United
Date: 24 Feb 2007
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool: Dudek, Riise, Carragher (Agger 78), Hyypia, Finnan, Gonzalez, Gerrard (Alonso 74), Mascherano, Pennant, Crouch (Kuyt 23), Fowler.

Subs: Padelli, Sissoko.

We continue our countdown of ’Rafa’s 100 Greatest Premier League Games’ with number 37 and Robbie Fowler’s last ever goals in a red shirt.

Liverpool produced a superb display to blunt the Blades at Anfield.

In what turned out to be his last ever goals in a red shirt, Fowler notched two first half penalties in front of his admiring Kop.

Sami Hyypia and Steven Gerrard added further goals in the second half.

It was the perfect end to a great week for the Reds who went into this game on the back of a famous win over Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

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Highlights

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Number 36

Fixture: Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle United
Date: 08 Mar 2008
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool: Reina, Riise, Carragher, Skrtel, Arbeloa, Pennant (Hyypia 79), Alonso, Lucas, Benayoun, Gerrard (Kuyt 66), Torres (Crouch 72).

Subs: Babel, Itandje.

We continue our countdown of ’Rafa’s 100 Greatest Premier League Games’ with number 36 and a Pele-style goal from Fernando Torres against Newcastle United.

Liverpool recorded their 300th Premier League win with an impressive 3-0 victory over Kevin Keegan's Newcastle United.

The Toon defence just couldn't handle Torres and Steven Gerrard as the pair tormented their defence.

The breakthrough arrived two minutes before the break when Jose Enrique's attempted clearance hit Jermaine Pennant and ended up in the net.

Before Anfield had time to catch its breath that man Torres made it two after latching on to a defence-splitting pass from Gerrard.

What came next was poetry in motion as the striker sold Harper a beautiful dummy before tucking into an empty net.

El Nino then turned provider as he set up Gerrard to make it 3-0.

With a midweek trip to the San Siro looming in the Champions League, Rafa took the opportunity to substitute Gerrard and Torres, much to the relief of Keegan's defence.

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Goals

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Number 35

Fixture: Portsmouth 1-3 Liverpool
Date: 07 May 2006
Venue: Fratton Park

Liverpool: Dudek, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Kewell, Alonso (Kromkamp 41), Sissoko, Gerrard, Fowler (Cisse 82), Morientes (Crouch 67).

Subs: Reina, Traore.

We continue our countdown of ’Rafa’s 100 Greatest Premier League Games’ with number 35 and a win at Portsmouth from 2006.

Robbie Fowler celebrated his new one-year contract extension with a customary goal as the FA Cup finalists ended their league season on a winning note.

The only blemish ahead of the Cardiff showpiece was Xabi Alonso being forced off on a stretcher in the 41st minute.

Kop favourite Fowler broke the deadlock in the 51st minute with a superb curling shot and further goals were added by Peter Crouch and substitute Djibril Cisse.

It was a good way to end the campaign but Rafa was left hoping that the injury to Alonso wouldn't be serious ahead of the clash with West Ham.

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Fowler Goal

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Number 34

Fixture: Liverpool 3-2 Middlesbrough
Date: 23 Feb 2008
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Finnan, Babel (Benayoun 62), Lucas, Mascherano, Gerrard, Kuyt (Riise 73), Torres (Crouch 90).

Subs: Martin, Skrtel.

We continue our countdown of ’Rafa’s 100 Greatest Premier League Games’ with number 34 and a stunning Fernando Torres hat-trick against Middlesbrough.

El Nino was at his brilliant best as he earned Liverpool three points almost on his own.

Tuncay actually gave 'Boro the lead with a free header at the Kop end before two goals in two minutes turned the game in Liverpool's favour.

A mistake by Julio Arca saw Torres go around Mark Schwarzer to level things up and then almost instantly he fired an unstoppable 25-yard drive into the net to make it 2-1.

The hat-trick came just after the hour when he lobbed the ball over Schwarzer into the Kop net.

Stewart Downing scored a brilliant consolation goal but the Reds held on for victory.

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Highlights

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Number 33

Fixture: Newcastle United 1-3 Liverpool
Date: 19 Mar 2006
Venue: St James' Park

Liverpool: Reina, Warnock, Agger, Hyypia (Fowler 90), Carragher, Kewell, Gerrard (Alonso 74), Hamann, Kromkamp, Cisse, Crouch (Luis Garcia 63).

Subs: Dudek, Traore.

We continue our countdown of ’Rafa’s 100 Greatest Premier League Games’ with number 33 and a win at Newcastle United from 2006.

Goals from Peter Crouch, Steven Gerrard and Djibril Cisse gave the Reds a richly deserved 3-1 win at St James' Park.

Crouch headed home the opening goal after good work from Jan Kromkamp and Gerrard added a sublime second when he smashed a brilliant right footed shot past Given and into the bottom corner.

Despite Shola Ameobi pulling a goal back for Newcastle Jean-Alain Boumsong was then sent-off for a professional foul on Crouch and Cisse made it 3-1 from the penalty spot.

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Number 32

Fixture: Liverpool 4-0 Fulham
Date: 09 Dec 2006
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool: Reina, Riise, Agger, Carragher, Finnan, Luis Garcia (Fowler 80), Alonso, Gerrard, Pennant, Bellamy (Crouch 77), Kuyt (Gonzalez 73).

Subs: Dudek, Hyypia.

We continue our countdown of ’Rafa’s 100 Greatest Premier League Games’ with number 32 and a rare Jamie Carragher goal versus Fulham.

Mark Gonzalez scored a memorable free-kick at the Kop end as Liverpool produced some superb attacking football to beat Fulham 4-0.

All four goals arrived in the second half and the breakthrough came from the penalty spot. Steven Gerrard's initial effort was saved but he made no mistake with the rebound.

The lead was doubled on the hour mark. Daniel Agger flicked on a corner from the left and Carragher slid in at the far post to register only his third ever league goal.

Luis Garcia then sent a looping header into the top corner of the Kop net before Gonzalez curled home a delightful free-kick.

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Highlights

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Number 31

Fixture: Newcastle United 0-3 Liverpool
Date: 24 Nov 2007
Venue: St James' Park

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Kewell (Babel 58), Lucas, Sissoko, Gerrard (Crouch 80), Kuyt (Riise 76), Torres.

Subs: Mascherano, Itandje.

We continue our countdown of ’Rafa’s 100 Greatest Premier League Games’ with number 31 and a fantastic goal from Steven Gerrard to silence the Geordie boo boys.

Our number eight was at his brilliant best as he scored and made two others during Liverpool's 3-0 win at Newcastle.

Coming into this game on the back of England's failure to qualify for Euro 2008, Gerrard was inspired and soon had the boo boys wishing they hadn’t given him stick.

He opened the scoring after 28 minutes with a wonderful strike from 30-yards out.

A minute into the second half Gerrard's corner was flicked on by Sami Hyypia and Dirk Kuyt added the second goal.

Ryan Babel came off the bench to add the third after a superb link of passes with Gerrard.

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Gerrard's Great Goal

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Number 30

Fixture: Liverpool 1-0 Everton
Date: 30 Mar 2008
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool: Reina, Riise, Hyypia, Skrtel, Carragher, Babel (Benayoun 82), Alonso, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard (Crouch 90), Torres (Pennant 90).

Subs: Finnan, Itandje.

We continue our countdown of ’Rafa’s 100 Greatest Premier League Games’ with number 30 and the day Fernando Torres left Everton feeling blue.

El Nino celebrated his Merseyside derby debut with the winner in front of the Kop.

He missed the 2-1 success at Goodison Park earlier in the season through injury, but he certainly left his mark on this game.

The only goal came in the seventh minute. Xabi Alonso robbed Yakubu on the edge of the visitors' box before a Dirk Kuyt touch sent his strike partner through. Tim Howard made himself big but Torres gave him no chance with a cool finish into the bottom corner for his 28th goal of the season.

It also meant the number nine had scored in six consecutive home games, a club record he shares with Fred Pagnam (1919), Roger Hunt (1964), Ian Rush (1983) and Michael Owen (1999).

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Torres Goal

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Number 29

Fixture: Watford 0-3 Liverpool
Date: 13 Jan 2007
Venue: Vicarage Road

Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Agger, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Alonso, Gerrard, Kuyt (Riise 77), Bellamy (Fowler 84), Crouch (Pennant 69).

Subs: Dudek, Guthrie.

We continue our countdown of ’Rafa’s 100 Greatest Premier League Games’ with number 29 and the day we stung the Hornets at Vicarage Road.

Peter Crouch scored twice as Liverpool eased their way to three points.

The Reds number 15 and strike partner Craig Bellamy were a real threat to the Hornets rearguard all afternoon and it was no surprise to see both find the net.

The game was effectively over after 48 minutes when Crouch scored twice after Bellamy had opened the scoring. The Welsh international also had a hand in the other two goals.

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Number 28

Fixture: Liverpool 4-0 Bolton
Date: 02 Dec 2007
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool: Reina, Riise, Carragher (Hobbs 51), Hyypia, Arbeloa, Kewell (Babel 67), Gerrard, Lucas, Benayoun, Crouch, Torres (Kuyt 77).

Subs: Mascherano, Itandje.

We continue our countdown of ’Rafa’s 100 Greatest Premier League Games’ with number 28 and a great start to 2007 from Liverpool.

Rafa's Reds produced a superb display of attacking football to sink Gary Megson’s Bolton at Anfield.

Fernando Torres, Sami Hyypia, Ryan Babel and Steven Gerrard were all on target and in truth it could have been a lot more.

Hyypia headed home goal number one and Torres soon made it 2-0 when he dinked a delicate shot past the despairing Jaaskelainen after a fabulous throughball from, you've guessed it, Gerrard.

The skipper added another one from the penalty spot and Babel rounded off the scoring.

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Highlights (http://www.videoplayer.hu/videos/play/114321)