#9: Benni McCarthy, Rovers 1-0 Liverpool, Tuesday 26th December 2006

So the finish itself in this goal isn’t something that would normally fall in to the “great” category – a smart finish inside the six-yard box for Benni McCarthy – but the build up to this goal, mainly Tugay’s part in it, is what makes it one of my favourite Rovers goals.

Coming in to the game, Rovers had suffered a 6-2 loss in the first visit to the Emirates, despite taking the lead through an early Shabani Nonda goal; and were facing a Liverpool side who still carried aspirations of the title, unbeaten in seven league games with Pepe Reina not having conceded in over 10 hours of football. Liverpool were very much the favourites to take all three points at Ewood on Boxing Day.

I remember the first half wasn’t that great a game, but I felt we could get something out of the game. Rovers started brightly in the second half and on the 49th minute, Tugay received the ball from Robbie Savage about 35 yards out from goal, feigned to strike the ball, did two step-overs, and then played a ball between right-back and centre-half which was inch perfect for Pedersen to stride on to and play a first-time ball across goal to the on-running McCarthy who slotted home past the Spaniard.

If one goal sums up Tugay as a player, other than his countless screamers, it is this goal. He makes it look effortless. With two step-overs he sends one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players and one of the best players in Europe at the time, to buy a hot dog from the Walkersteel Stand, without even trying. As he squares up to Sami Hyypia, Pedersen is only just coming in to the shot, but Tugay knows exactly where the ball needs to go – between Steve Finnan and Daniel Agger knowing that Nonda will leave it for Pedersen to run on to and play the final ball for McCarthy to slot home.

It is a goal which oozes class and simplicity at the same time and also proves you don’t need pace or muscle to beat a man and create a goal. When people revere about Gerrard I always think back to this goal and how Tugay made him look nothing more than ordinary.

*This article was originally published in Issue 101 of 4,000 Holes and forms part of the 101 Great Rovers Goals series. We're sauntering along to completion of the project so please email any contributions to [email protected] to get your favourite added!

*Glenn was a regular contributor to the fanzine but very sadly passed away on this day in 2024. Please read this tribute to Glenn, written by his Dad, Colin.