Liverpool 2 Middlesbrough 0Neil Mellor scored twice last night as Liverpool's rising stars secured a place in the quarter-finals of the League Cup. The 21-year-old striker made the most of a rare first-team appearance to notch goals in the 83rd and 89th minutes.
It was just the result Liverpool wanted, and came on a night of high emotion following the death of former captain Emlyn Hughes.
Coach Rafael Benitez gave some of his youngsters a run-out against the holders as Mellor, Darren Potter, Zak Whitbread and Stephen Warnock were included from the start, while John Welsh and Ritchie Partridge came off the bench.
Liverpool players wore black armbands as a mark of respect to Hughes, who died on Tuesday. And a minute's silence was respectfully observed by both sets of supporters before the action got underway.
Liverpool made a bright start and Igor Biscan stung the fingers of goalkeeper Carlo Nash with a shot from distance. Then Potter found himself in space on the edge of the area only to send his effort over the top of the bar.
Middlesbrough were again caught on the back foot in the seventh minute when Biscan picked out Florent Sinama Pongolle in a good position. However, he was caught in two minds and delivered a tame cross into the arms of Nash. Pongolle then saw his effort parried by Nash in the 19th minute and Warnock latched on to the rebound to deliver the ball back into the area but Mellor headed over from eight yards.
Middlesbrough were beginning to show and James Morrison delivered a good ball to Joseph Desire-Job but he was unable to take advantage. However, the visitors were growing in confidence and Frank Queudrue got away from his marker only to send his header from Morrison's cross over the top. Job then got away from Whitbread but ran out of options.
But this was a worrying spell for Liverpool with Biscan forced to take an influential role in an inexperienced side. He tried his luck again after 31 minutes but Nash was equal to his effort. Bolo Zenden found the net for Middlesbrough in the 41st minute, yet his effort was disallowed for offside.
Middlesbrough began the second half brightly and Downing picked out Job with a good ball after 48 minutes. He turned quickly inside the area but misdirected his shot off target.
Liverpool responded and Biscan released Mellor but he sent it over from 18 yards. Pongolle was left in some discomfort after 65 minutes but resumed after brief treatment but eventually went off after 69 minutes to be replaced by Partridge.
Zenden almost put Middlesbrough ahead in the 70th minute when his shot rebounded off Stephane Henchoz. Downing then delivered the corner and Zenden got clear only to head over from close range.
Middlesbrough kept up the pressure and Doriva cracked in a 25-yard shot after 75 minutes which was superbly turned away by Dudek. Job was then inches away from giving the visitors the lead three minutes later when his effort came back off the post.
Liverpool made the breakthrough in the 83rd minute when Partridge released Mellor who showed a cool head to clip a shot into the net. Mellor completed the job a minute from time when he scored from close range after Potter had dispossessed Zenden.
LIVERPOOL: Dudek, Finnan, Henchoz, Whitbread, Traore, Potter, Biscan, Diao (Welsh 75), Warnock (Riise 82), Sinama Pongolle (Partridge 69), Mellor. Subs Not Used: Luzi Bernardi, Raven. Booked: Diao. Goals: Mellor 83, 89.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Nash, Davies, Cooper, Riggott, Queudrue, Morrison (Graham 81), Doriva, Zenden, Downing, Job, Viduka. Subs Not Used: Schwarzer, Boateng, Wilson, McMahon.
Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire).
