A quick round up of the broadsheet match reports on the Portsmouth FA Cup game:
Weary Houllier just can’t win - Oliver Kay, The Times
As anxiety began to filter around Anfield yesterday afternoon, with Liverpool’s 1-0 lead suddenly beginning to look a little fragile, Gérard Houllier may have encountered an uncomfortable feeling of déjà vu. Four days earlier he had been jeered by his own supporters for making a defensive substitution that was designed to secure a victory over Manchester City. On this occasion he resisted the temptation to call for Igor Biscan, perhaps for fear of a popular revolt, and he lived to regret it. Were he in a more comfortable position, the embattled manager might have declared: “I told you so” ...
Times Match ReportLiverpool sit back and Gerrard is left to walk alone - Michael Walker, The Guardian
You'll never walk alone. As he eased his way out of Anfield last night and off to a short holiday in France, Gérard Houllier must have sensed some irony creeping into Liverpool's famous anthem. Boos once again greeted Liverpool at home and not just because Portsmouth scored a 77th-minute equaliser through their substitute Matthew Taylor in front of the Kop. Seconds before Alexei Smertin's break down the right to set up Taylor the Liverpool fans had launched into a chorus, another one, of "attack, attack, attack" ...
Guardian Match ReportLiverpool pay price for lack of conviction - William Johnson, The Telegraph
Liverpool, rebuked by their increasingly impatient supporters for doing just enough to beat Manchester City last Wednesday, were punished yesterday for adopting a similar policy against Portsmouth in pursuit of an FA Cup quarter-final place. A landmark goal by Michael Owen - the England striker notching his 150th goal in his 280th appearance for his club - gave Liverpool the advantage in only 69 seconds and set the stage for them to deal comfortably with Harry Redknapp's team ...
Telegraph Match ReportLiverpool fail to capitalise on Owen's early strike - Dan Murphy, The Independent
Another profoundly frustrating afternoon for Liverpool culminated in an unlikely equaliser for Portsmouth at Anfield yesterday. Michael Owen's second-minute strike provided the ideal platform for a convincing victory, but just when it seemed Portsmouth had given up hope, Matthew Taylor, only on the field for 10 minutes, converted his side's only realistic second-half opportunity to set up a replay at Fratton Park on Sunday ...
Independent Match Report