By J Wade
February 4 2005

Fernando Morientes sparks a Liverpool come back and also his Liverpool account after Shaun Bartlett put the home side, Charlton, infront.

The Spanish striker struck shortly after the hour mark to cancel out a 20th minute opener by Shaun Bartlett and John Arne Riise went on to net a deserved winning strike with 12 minutes remaining.
 
In what was a vitally important game in the race for Champions League qualification Liverpool dared not lose and on the evidence of their second half performance fourth placed Everton will be looking nervously over their shoulders.
 
The Reds started sprightly and enjoyed the best of the opening exchanges. Gerrard struck the bar as early as the 7th minute, after Kiely had saved from Garcia, and Baros then went close with a long-range shot.
 
But against the run of play the home side took the lead. Former Red Danny Murphy did well to force a corner and it was from his subsequent delivery that Bartlett headed home.
 
Liverpool responded positively to the setback of going behind, only to find Kiely in inspired form.
 
The keeper denied both Gerrard and Morientes, while the crossbar came to Charlton's rescue for a second time in the 56th minute when an effort from Riise bounced frustratingly back off the woodwork.
 
The Reds refused to let up and they finally got their just rewards when Morientes fired home with a well struck left-footed shot.
 
With the bit between their teeth they continued to press forward and it came as no surprise when Riise slotted the winning goal. Morientes released him and the Norwegian made no mistake with a low finish.
 
Chances went begging to increase the lead further before referee Neale Barry blew the final whistle to confirm a priceless Liverpool win.

Liverpool: Dudek, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Riise, Gerrard, Biscan, Garcia, Morientes, Baros.

Subs - Carson, Smicer, Pellegrino, Warnock, Potter

Charlton Athletic: Kiely, Hreidarsson, El Karkouri, Fortune, Young, Thomas, Holland, Murphy, Konchesky, Bartlett, Hughes.

Subs - Anderson, Kishishev, Euell, Jeffers, Johansson