Liverpool could face United in final

Liverpool’s reward for their dramatic 4-3 win over Aston Villa tonight was a Worthington Cup semi-final meeting with Sheffield United.

The draw kept the Reds apart from bitter north-west rivals Manchester United, who will face holders Blackburn over two legs in the other semi-final.

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard, man of the match in the victory at Villa Park, told Sky Sports: “It’s a good draw for us.

“They are going to be two good games. They’ve knocked out Premiership teams [Leeds and Sunderland] to get here so we’ve got to show them a bit of respect and they work very hard for each other.

“Maybe we’ve got a better chance of getting to the final by avoiding the Premiership sides but it’s going to be no pushover. We’ve got to work hard.”

Liverpool fell a goal behind tonight to a Darius Vassell penalty before the Reds stormed back with goals from Danny Murphy, Milan Baros and Gerrard.

Villa pulled back to 3-3 after Tomas Hitzlsperger cut the deficit and then Dion Dublin’s shot deflected in off Stephane Henchoz but Gerrard’s run and cut back found Murphy for a dramatic injury-time winner.

Manchester United reached the semi-finals by beating Chelsea 1-0 on Tuesday night while Blackburn saw off Wigan 2-0 at the JJB Stadium.

Draw for the Worthington Cup semi-finals

Manchester United v Blackburn

Sheffield United v Liverpool

Ties to be played in the weeks beginning January 6 and 20