Gerrard goal sees Reds take lead into second leg

Liverpool 1 Watford 0

Watford’s dreams of reaching the Carling Cup final are still very much alive after this semi-final first leg.

Steven Gerrard’s second-half strike, deflected in by Neil Cox, gave Liverpool only a slender lead to take to Vicarage Road for the second leg in a fortnight.

In the 56th minute, Liverpool stole into the lead with a goal which summed up their performance.

Florent Sinama-Pongolle again set up Gerrard after good work down the left by man-of-the-match Milan Baros, a second half substitute.

This time Gerrard's shot was goalbound and on target – and Neil Cox’s attempts to clear the danger only sent the ball high into his own net.

But Watford produced a brave display at Anfield and have already beaten Portsmouth and Southampton at home in this competition so far and they will fancy their chances of another upset.