Hoddle angry at the one that got away

Houllier reiterated his theory about the pitfalls of being confronted by massed ranks of defenders by saying: 'It is very difficult when everyone is behind the ball, and it is a problem we have struggled to overcome in the past.'

Houllier will have to devise a way of dispatching inferior opponents with a dismissive swipe, as well as trading blows with the elite, if his dream of taking Liverpool back to the top is to be realised.

Excuses were scarcely in plentiful supply either, after the flying start Gerrard gave them.

The England midfielder, drawing comparisons with Graeme Souness but actually showing an even wider range of skills, took just 90 seconds to stamp his mark on proceedings.

Lurking with the sort of intent that proved so costly to Arsenal nine days ago, he seized on a half-clearance and unleashed a blistering half-volley that produced an instinctive save from Paul Jones.

There seemed to be nothing on for him in the 12th minute when an interchange between Gary McAllister and Vladimir Smicer appeared to be petering out. Gerrard had other ideas as he looked up in vain for any passing options and readily took on the responsibility with a thunderous drive that left Jones floundering as it crashed against the underside of the bar and bounced over the line.

All the familiar defensive failings that have haunted Houllier for much of the campaign revisited him in the 20 th minute as Southampton equalised.

A Pahars corner skimmed off the top of Sami Hyypia's head to the far post, where Trond Soltvedt swivelled and beat Sander Westerveld with a low shot.

All that was left of a disjointed first half was the opportunity to marvel at the extent of Gerrard's all-round game. Being likened to Souness is praise enough but there was even a glimpse of Bobby Charlton about the way he swept a crossfield pass, soon after, from one touchline to the other, landing it precisely on Smicer's instep.

It was majestic stuff yet, while they cheered to the rafters in the stands, it left Liverpool's players singularly unmoved.

They continued to search fruit-lessly for a spark, though Smicer, Emile Heskey and Robbie Fowler might all have banished the growing sense of unease long before Babbel belatedly succeeded.

They should have been made to rue such wayward finishing 15 minutes from time when Pahars swung in a free kick from the left and Henchoz appeared to handle.

Despite Southampton players imploring Gallagher to administer the expected justice and Hoddle racing to the touchline to add his own protest, the Banbury official waved play on.

It was a lifeline Liverpool finally grasped, with time fast running out, as Hyypia headed McAllister's corner towards goal and Babbel nipped in to deflect it past Jones.