Liverpool take edge off Blades

Liverpool...2Sheffield United...0 (3-2 agg)Liverpool, for all their surging play, could only inch along to overturn the 2-1 deficit from the first leg and reach the English League Cup final.

It was not until the 107th minute that Steven Gerrard put Michael Owen through for the goal that broke Sheffield United. The losers were magnificently durable and plucky despite the daunting intensity of the opposition.

Gérard Houllier's side really were incensed about their rough-and-ready defeat at Bramall Lane in the first leg.

Liverpool were prepared to treat the first division club as arch foes.That risked playing into their hands if the passion was indulged at the expense of intelligence but Liverpool, ahead in the eighth minute, applied the fierceness to their concentration as well as to their tackling.

It was all the more admirable, therefore, that United preserved an interest in the tie when their hopes might have have been obliterated by the interval. Liverpool's control of the midfield eventually experienced interruption, but, by then, they had a goal.

It came from El Hadji Diouf, who is so obviously relieved to have the responsibilities of the centre-forward's position taken from him that he poses a greater threat from the right flank.

The build-up alone should have left a bruise on the visitors' morale. Shaun Murphy, backpedalling apprehensively, was perplexed by the devilish long pass that John Arne Riise scooped forward.

Michael Owen soon had the ball and, although Paddy Kenny parried his drive, the goalkeeper was unsighted as Emile Heskey's lay-off was shot home first time by Diouf, via the post, from the edge of the area.

The comeliest chances of the first half were Liverpool's. Vladimir Smicer cruised past Phil Jagielka in the 28th minute and his cut-back was struck on the half-volley by Diouf, with the ball arcing up and clipping the bar.

Nonetheless, it was not Liverpool's superior technique that had been in doubt and United continued to question its effectiveness. They were sufficiently in contention to be suspicious of some collisions that left their players on the ground and men such as Nick Montgomery, prior to his ankle injury, had some reward from their efforts.

Phil Thompson and Sammy Lee, Houllier's coaches, had strayed on to the pitch to celebrate Diouf's goal, but, while Warnock sat sedately in the stand for most of the opening phase, there was quiet encouragement for him.

After 40 minutes, Jagielka headed narrowly wide from Wayne Quinn's corner-kick to give sustenance to United's spirit.

Anfield was gradually morphing into Bramall Lane. There was bravado and a directness that had Liverpool ill at ease and Chris Kirkland even had to touch over a free-kick from Michael Brown.

Houllier's side were fine in calm possession, but it was no longer clear they would prevail.

When Danny Murphy set Owen free in the 63rd minute he could not quite round Kenny and, with the goalkeeper stranded, Smicer failed to supply the sort of pass that would have left a team-mate to score simply.

Riise pulled back a cross for Gerrard after 75 minutes, but the ball was kept from the net by a deflection off Quinn.

The intention to make this match another phase in the restoration of their damaged season was marked, but the mission was taxing Liverpool.

LIVERPOOL: Kirkland, Carragher, Henchoz, Hyypia, Riise, Diouf, Murphy, Gerrard, Smicer (Cheyrou 95), Heskey, Owen. Subs Not Used: Dudek, Baros, Diao, Mellor. Booked: Smicer, Kirkland. Goals: Diouf 9, Owen 107.

SHEFF UTD: Kenny, Jagielka, Murphy, Page, Quinn (Ten Heuvel 115), Montgomery (Mooney 45), Brown, McCall, Tonge, Ndlovu, Allison (Peschisolido 105). Subs Not Used: Kozluk, de Vogt.Booked: Quinn, Page.

Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire).