Lucas makes the difference

Agger 15 Lucas 58

FERNANDO TORRES was thrown into the closing stages here last night but it was the Spanish forward who needed the release more than Liverpool. There was to be no fairytale for Crewe Alexandra, despite missing a glorious chance to take the tie to extra-time, yet, of far more surprise and concern to Rafael Benitez was the lack of a headline act from his record signing.

Torres has scored only once since bringing the European Championship home to Spain in the summer and was denied twice by the Crewe goalkeeper, Steve Collis, as Liverpool just about kept their nerve. That Torres was introduced at all was an indication of his manager’s concern at a season blighted by injury and, here, misfortune in front of goal.

The third round of Liverpool’s fourth priority this season witnessed the customary changes from Benitez but, even with a completely different line-up to the side that started against Stoke City on Saturday, he was able to offer no encouragement to the home-grown products of the club’s academy system. Only one player on parade last night had emerged through the Anfield youth ranks and he was wearing the blue of Crewe, the centre-half Danny O’Donnell, and there was no place in the 18-man squad for five British youngsters who make up the nationalised contingent in Liverpool’s Champions League roster.

The oversight said everything about Benitez’ view on the academy system and why he has set about copying Arsenal’s model of filling the youth tier with purchases from around the globe.

It also strengthened the fear that Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher may be part of a dying breed at this level.

Liverpool’s performance was still built by those with a point to prove, however. Jermaine Pennant was instrumental to the home side’s initial dominance and his right-wing partnership with the defensively raw yet rampaging Philipp Degen, a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund this summer, subjected Crewe to a trying start. The breakthrough was provided by another player desperate to impress Benitez, having been overlooked since the first game of the season at Standard Liege, Daniel Agger.

A foul on David Ngog 22 yards from the visiting goal gave Agger a perfect opportunity to announce his return and he duly obliged with a thunderous free-kick that beat the Crewe goalkeeper, Steve Collis, for sheer power.

What could have been the cue for Crewe to fold suddenly brought the League One side to life and 10 minutes later they drew level to the delight of their impressive travelling support.

Calvin Zola glanced a Billy Jones corner goalwards and, when the debut Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri parried, Crewe’s Northern Ireland international midfielder Michael O’Connor was first on the scene to bundle home the equaliser.

An incisive run from Ryan Babel and Pennant’s intelligent cut-back from the byline enabled Lucas to restore Liverpool’s advantage as, despite competing against taller, more powerful defenders, the Brazilian midfielder climbed highest to head the winner beyond Collis.

Guardian Service

LIVERPOOL: Cavalieri, Degen (Carragher 73), Hyypia, Agger, Insua, Pennant, Leiva Lucas, Plessis, El Zhar (Keane 87), Babel, Ngog (Torres 66). Subs not used: Gulacsi, Dossena, Alonso, Skrtel.

Crewe: Collis, Woodards, Baudet, O’Donnell, Jones, Moore, Bailey, O’Connor, Carrington (Grant 81), Zola (Miller 78), Pope (Elding 87). Subs not used: Tomlinson, Abbey, Rix, Schumacher.

Referee: M Oliver (Northumberland).