Liverpool 2 Charlton Athletic 2

Last updated : 13 May 2007 By Footymad Previewer
Robbie Fowler bowed out in front of The Kop as Liverpool ended their Premiership campaign with a whimper.

The man the fans knew as God failed to produce any miracles as the Reds struggled to a 2-2 draw with a spirited, if relegated, Charlton side.

Harry Kewell scored a last-minute spot-kick for Liverpool after Matt Holland and then Darren Bent had put the Addicks in front.

Rafael Benitez brought back big guns Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher as he aimed to go into the showdown Champions League Final with AC Milan on a high, but it was Charlton that took a shock first minute lead when winger Zhi Zheng sped down the right wing and crossed to Holland to slide in and score.

Liverpool should have equalised five minutes later when a defensive error left full-back Alvaro Arbeloa one-on-one with the Charlton keeper. However, the Spaniard screwed the shot wide.

Fowler, playing his final match at Anfield, missed a glorious chance to sign off with a goal, ballooning his shot into the crowd from inside the six-yard box.

And Dirk Kuyt brought a smart save from Charlton keeper Darren Randolph on the back of a marauding run from Gerrard.

Despite Liverpool fielding a strong side they were strangely subdued and it was Charlton that looked more threatening in the first half.

And the Londoners should have put the game to bed straight after the break but China international Zheng spurned two glorious chances to score.

Liverpool needed some inspiration and they got it from a lean-looking Kewell.

After replacing the ineffective Bolo Zenden, Kewell crossed for Kuyt to head down for substitute Xabi Alonso to scuff a 62nd-minute shot into the bottom corner.

Then fired-up Kewell nearly smashed the crossbar with a fierce 20-yarder before Charlton hit the woodwork themselves.

But the Reds' fightback was short-lived and Alan Pardew's team took the lead again with 20 minutes remaining, striker Darren Bent volleying home after debutant Reds keeper Daniele Padelli had parried Ben Thatcher's shot.

Aussie Kewell seemed on a one-man mission to rescue his team and brought a fine save from Randolph with another pile-driver but the winger was to have the final say in the final minutes.

A Gerrard corner was handled in the box by a Charlton defender and Kewell stepped up to slot home the penalty.

Liverpool legend Fowler came close to a swan-song goal and the striker would have almost certainly taken the penalty but was taken off for Peter Crouch just minutes before.