Liverpool edge past luckless Leeds

DAVID NGOG struck the only goal as a much-changed Liverpool side sneaked past a fired-up Leeds in the Carling Cup last night.

The Premier League giants were outplayed by the League One leaders for much of the third-round tie but Ngog netted against the run of play after 65 minutes.

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was relieved to see his side sneak through. Manager Rafael Benitez had opted to field a number of fringe players and Carragher was glad the gamble paid off.

“The foreign lads don’t have this type of cup in their own country and you tell them beforehand its going to be a very difficult game and that’s as difficult a game we’ve had all season,” he said.

“It was a great performance from Leeds. They’ve been a little bit unlucky that we’ve won it this evening but I’m glad that we have. Obviously we don’t have the full team out but it was a very tough game.”

Liverpool have the Premier League and Champions League to think about at the moment, but Carragher insisted the Carling Cup is just as important.

“Of course we want to win it,” he added. “It’s been a few years since we won a trophy. And I’d love to go to Wembley with Liverpool. You get a couple of chances each year and this is one of them.”

Ngog scored his second goal of the season and believes it will do wonders for his confidence.

“It was really important for me for my confidence,” said the 20-year-old. “I think we played very well and we worked hard together. I’m very happy to have scored tonight.

“I know I cannot play every game but when the coach gives me the confidence I try to do my best for the team and try to score.”

Leeds spurned a number of chances as Elland Road enjoyed a big-game atmosphere once again, but a lack of composure in front of goal cost them.

The match was not without controversy as Leeds had a goal ruled out for offside early on.

Manager Simon Grayson believed the result could have been a lot different had the goal stood but was proud of his players’ performance.

“It must have been really close,” Grayson said. “It’s one of those decisions that can go for you sometimes or against you. Obviously it’s gone against us tonight and it was a big turning point in the game because I thought we were excellent and we created really good chances but sometimes you don’t get them breaks.

“Our players have been fantastic, they put in a fantastic performance against a top-drawer team.

“We gave them a real test tonight and the players can be immensely proud of what they’ve done.

“Unfortunately we just didn’t get the win we could have had.”

Grayson is now hoping his team bounce back from this disappointment and continue their stunning start to the League One season.

He added: “We want to be out of this division and tonight was a highlight of what we can produce performance-wise and what we can do as a club.

“We want to get back to this level and hopefully it’s an inspiration but our bread and butter remains the league.”

LEEDS UNITED: Higgs, Crowe, Kisnorbo, Michalik, Doyle (Showunmi 88), Howson, Johnson, Hughes (Kilkenny 78), Beckford, Becchio (Grella 81), Snodgrass.

LIVERPOOL: Cavalieri, Aurelio, Kyrgiakos, Carragher, Degen (Johnson 71), Dossena, Riera, Mascherano, Spearing, Babel (Skrtel 90), Ngog (Gerrard 78).

Referee: Alan Wiley.