REMEMBER this fixture from yesteryear? Big crowds, big games, big-time football. Times have changed. The West Yorkshire barmy army is clearly in retreat.

As the rain fell and the wind howled the bedraggled remnants of a once powerful travelling support took its place, hoping for the unlikely but probably fearing the worst. The lethargy of those who had braved the Pennines was perfectly understandable. New Leeds manager George Graham never said it would be pretty. He did not, however, suggest that the transformation of ugly duckling into elegant swan would be quite so painful.

These days Leeds defend resolutely and just hope for the best. It's an unappealing tactic, perhaps even a betrayal of the club's proud traditions, but Graham has always subscribed - unswervingly - to the small acorns theory.

Leeds attacked whenever they could which is to say they moved across the half way line infrequently and only to alleviate the tedium of repelling Liverpool's many raids. Liverpool's football, particularly their passing, always held more authority but as had often been the case. in a season of peculiar contradictions the devil, initially at least, was in the detail. ,The Leeds defence resembled a piece of fine wire meshing, difficult to infiltrate and begs questions of even the most accomplished forward line.

Jamie Redknapp and John Barnes prompted well from the heart of a soggy midfield but at most without exception there was an astonishing naievety about the final ball. By virtue of enjoying so much possession Liverpool created chances but they were not the first team to discover that Nigel Martyn is a fine, fine goalkeeper. He saved splendidly several times before his finger was finally wrenched from the dyke after 22 soulless minutes.

It was a simple enough goal and yet one which, held a certain beauty. Stig Bjornebye released Stan Collymore down the left and his cross into the penalty area was so perfect, so precise, Robbie Fowler could have steered the ball home with his eyes shut.

Faced by a familiar dilemma Leeds seemed uncertain as to whether to attack and risk further punishment or subdue any ambition and opt for damage limitation. In the end the decision was taken out of their hands.

After 36 minutes Collymore raced clear to collect a Barnes pass and score with a low drive. Ninety seconds later he was on hand to turn in a fine Steve McManaman cross. The damage was done and once the evening had surrendered its competitive edge, the quality of Liverpool's football began to dip, quite noticeably so.

But Leeds chase lost causes as enthusiastically as any Premiership side and if the determination they brought to their play in the second half was to have no bearing on the outcome, it was at least commendable.

Even so, Graham's decision to open the second period with his club's two most accomplished forwards - Ian Rush and Tony Yeboah - still confined to the substitutes bench, will have confused many.

Graham brought on former Liverpool idol Rush for the last 17 minutes and he was given a thunderous reception by the home fans.

But the travelling Leeds fins were less than pleased at his arrival and were obviously looking for Yeboah to get a run.,

And Graham was left in no doubt about the message in their chants `Are You Wilko in Disguise', a clear reference to the former manager Howard Wilkinson who captured Rush in the summer.

Substitute Patrick Berger should have extended Liverpool's lead when Jason McAteer put him in clear, but he hurried his shot from the edge of the area and sent it high into the crowd.

Redknapp completed the scoring three minutes from time when he blasted in a fine free kick from the edge, of the area as Martyn was still setting up his defensive wall.

Leeds manager George Graham believes the title race will still be fought out between Manchester United, Liverpool and his former club Arsenal.

Graham said: "Liverpool are a very g9od side and I don't think there is much to choose, between them, Manchester United and Arsenal.

"They are all equal and any one of those three clubs could win it. It is that tight.

"We came to Liverpool and hoped to make it difficult but some of the goats were elementary.

"The second-half was a damage limitation exercise but then we got hit with a sucker punch from a free kick."

But Liverpool manager Roy Evans remained cautiously optimistic despite this stirring performance on a dreadful night.

"It was a very pleasing performance against a team we knew would make it difficult for us.

Our movement in the first half was superb and Steve McManaman dragged (Lucas) Radebe all over the park."