Richard Stearman dubs Liverpool win "the best"

Richard Stearman today hailed Wolves' victory over Liverpool as the highlight of his career.

Stearman was one of the star performers last night as Wolves claimed their first win at Anfield in 26 years thanks to Stephen Ward's second-half strike.

"It's got to be one of the highlights of my career," Stearman said. "To come to Anfield when we were bottom of the league and put on a performance like that - it doesn't get much better!

"It almost brings a bit of disappointment back about the Wigan result (on Boxing Day) because it was such a contrast to that performance. How can we go from playing that badly to that good?

"Everyone expected us to sit back and let Liverpool play. But we wanted to make the point that we are not scared of anyone. We wanted to show we would go 4-4-2, match people and press teams higher up the pitch.

"I thought the two front boys were superb in doing that and with the work-rate they put in. It was a great night for us."

Wolves duo Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Ward caught the eye up front and combined superbly for the goal. And Stearman felt it was a fitting tribute to Ward, a player who has already operated in four different positions this season.

"Wardy has been different class wherever he has played," said the 23-year-old.

* Wolves' win at Liverpool has earned them the F&C Investments Performance of the Week award as decided by the League Managers Association.

The LMA's five-man panel comprising LMA chairman Howard Wilkinson, Sir Alex Ferguson, Joe Royle, Dave Bassett and Barry Fry were in agreement that the 1-0 win at Anfield should get the nod for this week's award.

Boss Mick McCarthy will receive an engraved crystal football as a reward.