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Benayoun vs Fulham – The Liverpool goal that meant the most to me

Benayoun vs Fulham – The Liverpool goal that meant the most to me

Sometimes, a Liverpool goal is scored that feels extra special to you, even if it may end up holding no significant place in history.

For me, that was Yossi Benayoun’s strike away to Fulham, back in that memorable 2008/09 season.

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While there have already been endless great memories under Jurgen Klopp, and goals that I will forever treasure, this one will always edge them.

On the face of it, there is no reason why this should be loved more than Divock Origi’s goal that clinched Champions League glory, or Steven Gerrard’s stunner in the 2006 FA Cup final, but the mind does funny things.

Back on that April afternoon in 2009, Rafa Benitez’s Reds knew that victory would take them two points clear of Manchester United, albeit having played a couple of matches more.

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This was a top-class Liverpool outfit, with Pepe Reina in goal, Jamie Carragher at his peak, Steven Gerrard accompanied by Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso in midfield, and Fernando Torres leading the line.

What unfolded at Craven Cottage was one of the most infuriating, but ultimately satisfying, Liverpool games of all time.

The Reds battered their opponents that day, producing the kind of football that had kept them in touch with a generational United side throughout the campaign.

The ball just would not go in, though.

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The woodwork was struck several times, most notably when Andrea Dossena thundered a header against the crossbar, and numerous efforts narrowly missed the target.

As each minute drifted by, the more there seemed to be a painful inevitability that two valuable points were being dropped, and that Alex Ferguson and his players would be enjoying a pleasant Saturday evening.

In the dying seconds, however – and I really do mean the dying seconds – what felt like a season-defining moment occurred.

When Ryan Babel picked up the ball 25 yards from goal and prepared to shoot, I screamed at him not to, half expecting the ball to fly into the River Thames.

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Thankfully, he listened, finding Gerrard, before the ball squeezed fortunately into the path of Benayoun, who had replaced Dirk Kuyt late in the day.

The whole world seemed to stand still at that point, as the Israeli lined up a shot, before he unleashed a perfect finish into the top corner.

Incredible celebrations followed, both on the pitch and in the away end, not to mention in my living room. I acted the same as I did when Jerzy Dudek denied Andriy Shevchenko in Istanbul.

At that point, anything felt possible, and the travelling supporters sang long after the final whistle about the title finally coming back to Anfield.

Pumped full of adrenaline, I enjoyed a truly great night out, surrounded by United-supporting friends who had to put up with my overly-chipper nature all evening.

As a natural footballing pessimistic, I rarely allow myself to get carried away about Liverpool, but I really thought that was the night they had won the title, even though destiny was still very much in United’s hands.

Ferguson’s men went on to clinch glory, of course – Federico Macheda’s late winner against Aston Villa was a real low point – but nothing will take away that feeling after Benayoun scored.

Whatever happens in the coming years under Klopp is unlikely to match the feeling of pure ecstasy in that moment, for me at least.


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