Liverpool 1-0 Portsmouth: Reds stay top after Steven Gerrard strike

Liverpool needed a helping hand to keep their title charge going - and Papa Bouba Diop was the surprise provider with a crazy penalty howler.

The big Senegalese midfielder jumped for a 76th-minute corner with veteran Sami Hyypia as the Kop was starting to fear two dropped points.

But the fates are with Liverpool right now. How else can you explain Diop putting his hands up to touch a header from the Finn that was not even going goalwards?

Steven Gerrard kept his usual cool to slot home past David James and the sigh of relief - plus three points - made up for what had gone before. It ruined Tony Adams' first game in charge but he refused to slam Diop.

"I don't blame him, I just gave him my opinion," he said. "Sami got a yard on him and he panicked. I told him next time that he's still got England's No.1 behind him.

"I wasn't throwing a cup of tea or two. I am what I am.

If I do see something that needs to be thrown I will throw it. I like being calm, you can make clear decisions."

Just when Liverpool were emerging as serious title challengers, Benitez decided to go back to his bad old ways and brought back the dreaded squad rotation, two words reviled on Merseyside as much as Gillett and Hicks.

The Anfield gaffer made four changes from the triumph of Stamford Bridge, changed the shape and lost the rhythm that has taken his side so far this season.

Dirk Kuyt, playing on his own through the middle, was denied by Kop old boy James going full stretch to touch his shot onto the post.

But the Dutchman is not going to win titles playing on his own in attack.

Playing Gerrard in the 'hole' did not work either, with Lassana Diarra outstanding against him, while Jermaine Pennant and Ryan Babel were frustrating out wide.

Babel would go on rampaging runs but then find one defender too many in the way while Pennant's lack of sharpness and erratic touch let him down.

James was only kept occupied by Jamie Carragher's powerful 30- yarder and Gerrard's raking shot that was parried but found no takers for the rebound.

Portsmouth were there for the taking. Adams showed some bottle by dropping Jermain Defoe but his tactics were a bit negative as a result and invited Liverpool to go forward.

When Portsmouth did mount a meaningful attack they almost scored. Papa Bouba Diop planted a free header straight at Pepe Reina in the 26th minute. Diarra was fabulous in midfield, darting around in a sea of legs with a touch no-one could match and a vision that marks him out as a top-four player.

However a booking for fouling Gerrard was a handicap.

Liverpool were looking desperately for inspiration from Gerrard, who nearly found Kuyt with a clever cross, and also for an introduction from the bench.

Yossi Benayoun came on for Pennant to provide more craft and he wriggled clear in the box only to be stopped by James who juggled a Fabio Aurelio effort behind - with the Brazilian taking full advantage of the momentary slip by delivering the decisive corner.

Liverpool: Reina 6, Arbeloa 6, Hyypia 6, Carragher 6, Aurelio 5, Pennant 5 (Benayoun 63, 6) Lucas 5, Alonso 6, Babel 6, Gerrard 6, Kuyt 7.

Portsmouth: James 6, Pamarot 5, Kaboul 6, Distin 6, Belhadj 6, Utaka 5, Diop 6, Diarra 8, Davis 5, Traore 5 (Kranjcar 65, 6) Crouch 6.

Ref: Steve Tanner

Attendence: 43,378

Man of the match: Lassana Diarra (Portsmouth)

Villain of the match: Noe Pamarot (Portsmouth)

Next three games:
Liverpool: Saturday: Tottenham (a) Prem Tue Nov 4: Atletico Madrid (h) Ch Lg Sat Nov 8: West Brom (h) Prem
Portsmouth: Saturday: Wigan (h) Prem Sat Nov 8: Sunderland (a) Prem Sat Nov 15: West Ham (a) Prem