Liverpool	2 - 1	Cardiff
Scorers El Zhar 48 Gerrard 66  Booked Lucas 84 Babel 90	Half Time ( 0 - 0 )	Scorers Purse 65  Booked McNaughton 44

Rafa Benitez made nine changes to the side who drew against Arsenal at the weekend with the only survivors being Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard. Second-choice goalkeeper Charles Itandje started the game and was joined by the mainly unfamiliar names of Jack Hobbs, Nabil El Zhar, Leiva Lucas and Sebastian Leto.

Robbie Fowler made his return to Anfield and was partnered in attack by former Premier League striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. But despite his impressive game, his dreams of a winning return were shattered as Liverpool ran out eventual winners.

It was Fowler who, after raising chants from the Anfield crowd on his appearance, was the first to force a goalkeeper into a save. His early free-kick from outside the box brought a save from Itandje after Fabio Aurelio tripped the ex-Liverpool striker.

Ryan Babel and Peter Crouch both came close at the other end, with Matt Oakes forced into a save from Aurelio as well. Lucas and Leto also had good efforts for Liverpool, while a dangerous header from Parry was kept out by Itandje.

Cardiff certainly looked good in the opening 45 minutes and must’ve been hopeful of an upset if they could pinch a goal going forward.

As for the Reds, it was turning out to be a disappointing show from some of the newer faces. As Fowler looked promising up front for Cardiff, the likes of Leto at his old club were less than inspiring and Benitez may have been regretting his decision to bring in some of these players. In contrast, Lucas was beginning to show his worth and combined well with Gerrard in midfield as the Premier League side moved forward.

However, Liverpool made the perfect start to the second-half when El Zhar blasted in a shot from distance to give the Reds the lead, thanks to Gerrard. It was the midfielder’s run which took him forward before he picked up El Zhar, who cut inside on his right foot and smashed a shot which clipped the post on the way past Oakes. It was a relief for Benitez as much as the home crowd who could’ve witnessed their side become one of the shock scalps of the round.

Joe Ledley kept Itandje busy as he tried to pull the Championship side level. But then Cardiff equalised. Paul Parry’s cross was met by Darren Purse and the Bluebirds began to think that the night might be theirs. Liverpool never played at their best and continued to vulnerable at key areas on the pitch. Maybe with the likes of Fowler and Hasselbaink up front, Cardiff would be able to pull off a shock result.

But it took Liverpool just two minutes to find the net again as they took the lead thanks to their experienced captain. Yossi Benayoun slid a ball through for Gerrard and the midfielder calmly beat the keeper to put the Reds ahead again.

Oakes was again on hand to deny Crouch, but Cardiff kept pushing until the final minute and Fowler had a shot blocked after a neat turn and shot. It was all men behind the ball for Liverpool in the dying minutes as the visitors looked for the goal which would take the game into extra time. But they did just enough on the night to win the game and progress to the quarter-finals.

A late effort by Benayoun would’ve given a bit of breathing space but in all truth it would probably have put a bit of gloss on the result and so the Israeli’s blast wide gave the score a more realistic reflection.

It was another game in which Liverpool looked good until the final third of the pitch as they lacked some real creative spark moving forward. Their second-string side never really seemed likely to roll over the Championship opposition who certainly put up a good fight. But it was just the extra goal which edged it and Liverpool were just that bit too strong for Cardiff on the night.


Liverpool: Itandje, Arbeloa, Hobbs, Carragher, Aurelio, El Zhar (Kewell 71), Lucas (Mascherano 87), Gerrard, Leto (Benayoun 63), Crouch, Babel.

Subs Not Used: Martin, Riise.

Cardiff: Oakes, McNaughton (Gunter 84), Purse, Johnson, Capaldi, Ledley, Rae, McPhail (Whittingham 89), Parry, Fowler, Hasselbaink (Thompson 75).

Subs Not Used: Magennis, Loovens.

Att: 41,780

Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).

By Ben Hughes