Liverpool held off a terrific second-half fightback by first division Tranmere Rovers to win their FA Cupquarter-final 4-2 at Prenton Park today.
Tranmere, bottom of the first division but good enough to beat premier league Everton and Southampton in earlier rounds, were outclassed in thefirst half as goals by Danny Murphy and Michael Owen gave Liverpool a 2-0 lead.
Tranmere, who trailed Southampton 3-0 at halftime in their fifth round match before winning 4-3, had failed to create any clear chances in thefirst period.
But they looked a different team after the break, Steve Yates pulling one back with a header a minute after the restart.
Steven Gerrard headed Liverpool 3-1 ahead in the 52nd minute, only for Wayne Allison to score with his first touch seconds after coming on as asubstitute to make it 3-2.
After a period of sustained Tranmere pressure Gary McAllister was brought down in the box 10 minutes from time and Robbie Fowler secured thewin with the penalty.