THERE were no pitchside protests by Liverpool fans at Hillsborough yesterday, no banners demanding the dismissal of Roy Evans. But the silence emanating from the throng on the Leppings Lane end was equally devastating: if Liverpool's football had been anything like as concise, they might have won the Premiership title this season.

In the final analysis, even the consolation of second place proved beyond them. Liverpool pounded 10 man Wednesday, with their third goalkeeper of the afternoon, in the last, fraught minute, but could find no way through. They finished fourth.

The decision to give the 17 year old striker Michael Owen, who scored as a substitute against Wimbledon last week, his full debut, caused a mild flutter of anticipation. But with Robbie Fowler suspended and Patrik Berger injured, Liverpool knew that victory would guarantee the runners up spot: a task put in perspective by Hillsborough's near impregnability this season.

Goals - Owen's forte - were clearly a prerequisite.

Liverpool settled comfortably into their passing rhythm. Neil Ruddock's early departure made not alot of difference; his replacement Steve Harkness, was fluidly assimilated into the heart of defence. But it was from two direct passages of play that they could and should have taken the lead.

Both Stan Collymore and Owen found themselves with just Kevin Pressman to beat, after being released by long passes from midfield. The shock was obviously too great and their shots were saved.

Liverpool's cause was certainly not helped by the failure off Collymore to retake the field, but there was little choice other than to step up a gear.

From the byline Jamie Redknapp flicked the ball toe Owen, who turned and pounced immediately, but again Pressman summoned a crucial touch.

Fortune favoured Wednesday. In the 70th minute, John Barnes fed the ball forward to Owen, which preceded a dash towards the edge of the area. Owen's right foot shot cannoned against the near post: typically, the rebound fell to a blue and white shirt.

Wednesday promptly scored. Neil Donaldson had rushed head long up field, where he collected a pass, wriggled between his markers and placed his shot between the feet of James. There was a twist after such a ponderous opening period and a second of such excitement there had to be.

In the 82nd minute, the substitute goalkeeper Malt Clarke came to the edge of his area to collect a throughball from Barnes and to the horror of the home contingent, David Elleray signalled that the line had been breached. Clarke was dismissed and Booth look his place, Redknapp curling the resulting free kick into the top right hand corner.