LIVERPOOL V MAN CITY: THE LAST FIVE

As the Reds prepare to face City at Anfield on Saturday, we remembers our last five home games against the Mancs Liverpool 1-0 Man City Premiership � February 2006 The Reds completed a season's double over their north-west rivals thanks to a well-struck goal from a resurgent Harry Kewell. The Aussie slotted home past an outstretched David James after skipper Steven Gerrard found him darting down the left. The visitors had Joey Barton dismissed in the second-half when a late challenge on Sami Hyypia earned the Huyton-born midfielder a second yellow, though Liverpool failed to capitalise. A nervy finale ensued, but it would have been oh so different had Peter Crouch's sublime back-heel not rolled tantalizingly wide. Liverpool 2-1 Man City Premiership � August 2004 Michael Owen may have gone, but the man charged with filling his boots wasted no time proving he might just be up to the job. Milan Baros, fresh from winning the Golden Boot at Euro 2004, opened his season's account three minutes after the break with a cool lob over David James to cancel out Nicolas Anelka's first-half strike. The Czech had been fed by Steven Gerrard, himself the subject of transfer rumours throughout summer. But, inspired by a rapturous reception from the Kop, the skipper proved home is where the heart is with a marauding display capped by his 75th minute winner. Liverpool 2-1 Man City Premiership � February 2004 Michael Owen may have gone three-months without a goal, but it took him just three minutes to open the scoring here with an exquisite finish past his former clubmate David James. And Calamity wasn't the only old boy in town. Nicolas Anelka failed a late fitness test, but Kevin Keegan still had Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler to call upon. The ex-Kop favourites were conspicuous by their absence in the first-half, but showed flashes of their former selves in setting up Shaun Wright-Phillips for an equaliser early in the second-half. Not that the Kop had much time to ponder. It took just two minutes for current idol Steven Gerrard to crash home the winner following a scramble in the box. Liverpool 1-2 Man City Premiership �May 2003 Nicolas Anelka returned to haunt the man who declined to sign him, scoring a brace which left Gerard Houllier's side needing to beat Chelsea on the final day of the season to secure Champions League football the following year. This after Milan Baros netted his 12th of the season to open the scoring 10 minutes into the second half. El Hadji Diouf earned the assist with a well-directed cross which set up his Czech mate for a right-foot volley past Peter Schmeichel. Anelka levelled things from the spot before capitalising on a Djimi Traore blooper to silence Anfield with virtually the last kick of the game. Liverpool 4-2 Man City FA Cup fifth round � Feb 2001 Strikes from Emile Heskey, Markus Babbel, Jari Litmanen and Vladimir Smicer set up the Reds for a quarter-final tie with Tranmere Rovers en route to their historic treble.

By Jimmy Rice 24 November 2006