Middlesbrough may have little or no time for the frivolous world of knock-out football as they seek to plot an escape from the first division, but the League Cup is still very much to their liking. Beaten by Leicester City in the final of the competition last season, they will, no doubt, believe themselves to be capable of making an improbable Wembley return after producing a performance of some character on Merseyside last night that leaves them just one goal adrift of Liverpool for the second leg at the Riverside Stadium. An evening which seemed destined to end with shared spoils was finally decided with eight minutes remaining when Robbie Fowler arrived unannounced at the near post to turn in a low cross.
Despite a series of sweet Premiership results in recent weeks, the inherent weakness in Liverpool's football would still seem to be an inability to add a dash of genuine bravado to the more mundane aspects of their play. But there does remain a willingness to work diligently, which might explain why the Anfield manager Roy Evans feels he must persist in overlooking the accomplished Rob Jones in order to accommodate the less worthy, but indefatigable, Jason McAteer on the right flank.
In many respects, Liverpool are what Middlesbrough could be, for the Teessiders have fashioned themselves into a most cohesive and attractive unit that reflects the laudable philosophy of their manager, Bryan Robson.
Robson had sent out a deliberately depleted side against Arsenal in the FA Cup at the weekend and had lost a calculated gamble. Modern football is all about priorities and with another final, albeit of a lesser competition, within touching distance, five players returned last night.
The ill Gianluca Festa was not among them and his replacement, the young Steve Baker, was deputed to shadow Steve McManaman, a thankless task which he approached with commendable zeal.
Middlesbrough are at their best when breaking out of defence. It resembles more a stampede than a measured assault, but with Liverpool inclined to commit too many men forward, there was ample opportunity to employ the tactic.
It was rather odd that a game which held so much attractive football should yield so few chances, but semi-finals always encourage defensive heroics.
The better of the opportunities did fall to Liverpool feet, but Michael Owen drove wide and Paul Ince far too close to the Middlesbrough goalkeeper, Mark Schwarzer.
It was around the half-hour mark that the realisation that here was a game in the balance, a game to be won, began to wash over the day-trippers from the north-east. As if to underline the point, Middlesbrough promptly scored, Paul Merson driving in splendidly after Craig Hignett's lofted pass had completely undone the Liverpool back line.
Middlesbrough's lead was to last only seconds, however. The celebrations were still in full flow when Jamie Redknapp drew back his boot to send a ferocious drive spinning into the top corner.
The Liverpool midfield can boast both muscle and finesse, yet too often Owen and his striking partner, Fowler, were left isolated. That Fowler emerged for what was a more spirited second period was somewhat surprising for he is a young man enduring the first crisis of a hitherto celebrated career.
Predictably, as the evening wore on Middlesbrough began to fall back as if by instinct, content to hold what they had. Liverpool, of course, poured forward, and finally got the reward when Fowler found the net.
Liverpool: James, McAteer, Babb, McManaman, Leonhardsen, Fowler, Redknapp, Harkness (Riedle 76), Ince, Owen, Matteo. Subs Not Used: Carragher, Friedel. Booked: Matteo, Babb, Ince, Riedle. Goals: Redknapp 31, Fowler 82.
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Maddison, Kinder, Vickers, Pearson, Mustoe, Hignett (Harrison 78), Townsend, Beck, Merson, Baker. Subs Not Used: Moreno, Campbell. Booked: Kinder, Baker. Goals: Merson 29.
Referee: G S Willard (Worthing).
