Wimbledon 1 Liverpool 0

by the "Press Association"

Liverpool have suffered their worst run of results for 44 years after Robbie Earle sentenced them to their
eighth defeat in 11 games. 

Even golden boy Michael Owen fluffed a second-half penalty at Selhurst Park as the Reds reached a new
low. 

Gerard Houllier's appointment in sole charge has failed to avert the club's worst run since 1954 after Earle
reacted quickest while Liverpool's defenders appealed for offside. 

Liverpool were guilty of failing to convert several chances and three minutes after the interval, full-back Ben
Thatcher played a simple ball onto Marcus Gayle who kept a cool head under pressure to force the ball
on. 

Earle, lurking dangerously on the penalty spot, made no mistake and his low drive left Liverpool keeper
David James helpless - with TV replays showing the Dons midfielder was onside despite the visitors'
protests. 

Owen, the bookmakers' favourite for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year to be announced tonight,
then wasted Liverpool's best chance to get back into the game in the 79th minute. 

Andy Roberts was adjudged to have pulled down Paul Ince in the penalty box - but Scotland goalkeeper
Neil Sullivan had little trouble diving to his left to stop the England striker's spotkick. 

With Liverpool collecting just six points from their last six league games, Houllier was under pressure to
reap some rewards from the journey to south London. 

But a month into his solo reign the Frenchman has clearly still not found the magic formula. A raid on the
international transfer market cannot be far away with Bayern Munich's Thomas Helmer heading the
wanted list. 

The game was just five minutes old when the impressive Michael Hughes delivered an early cross to
Wimbledon striker Carl Leaburn, whose first time effort forced a solid save from James. 

Five minutes later another defensive mix-up let through Earle but he could not make the most of his
gilt-edged opportunity and fired across the face of goal. 

But it was the opening goal which best illustrated the Anfield club's defensive frailties. 

While every red arm shot into the air, linesman Paul Voster kept his down and Earle made no mistake to
spark delirious Wimbledon celebrations. 

Liverpool's star-studded line-up certainly offered their fair share of pressure, only to be soaked up by man
of the match Sullivan. 

The Dons keeper was in inspired form, most spectacularly tipping wide a deflected Vegard Heggem effort
after only 12 minutes. 

However it was a save he should never have had to make as Jason Euell made a rare error in giving Patrik
Berger too much room for one of his trademark precision crosses. 

With Sullivan in defiant form it was all the visitors needed to see teenage sensation Owen have a rare off
day at the office. 

While the youngster put himself in some fine scoring positions he could not convert his opportunities into
the goals his manager craves, twice wasting chances he should have scored. 

But his most glaring error was also Sullivan's crowning glory. Roberts led the protests as Ince tumbled in
the area but referee Gary Willard pointed immediately to the spot. 

However, Owen did not show his characteristic assurance under pressure and fired a weak penalty which
Sullivan saved easily. 

Although Liverpool pushed relentlessly on in search of some much-needed pride their overall performance
was toothless. 

Houllier, a self-confessed philosopher of the beautiful game, has a lot of thinking to do. 

Teams: 

Wimbledon: Sullivan, Cunningham, Perry, Blackwell, Thatcher, Earle, Gayle (Roberts 77), Ardley,
Leaburn (Ekoku 62), Hughes, Euell. 

Subs Not Used: Kimble, Heald, Kennedy. 

Goals: Earle 48. 

Liverpool: James, Staunton, Babb, Fowler (Riedle 61), Owen, Redknapp, Heggem, Berger, Ince,
Bjornebye, Carragher. 

Subs Not Used: Kvarme, Matteo, Nielson, Gerrard. 

Booked: Ince. 

Att: 26,080 

Ref: G Willard (Worthing).