Talk lfc match report

Match Report by Robbie Amins' for talklfc

For the first time in years, Liverpool's League Cup starting line-up was weaker than Man Utd's as Rafa Benitez took the opportunity to rest some of his stars and made no less than 10 changes to the team that beat Charlton.

Jerzy Dudek, who was given the captain's armband, started in goal. Josemi returned to the side after suspension while the out-of-favour Stephane Henchoz got a chance to showcase his talents before the January transfer window. American youngster Zak Whitbread made his debut, Stephen Warnock got the left wing spot and Ireland U-21 international Darren Potter started his second match of the season. The much-maligned duo of Diao and Biscan was the preferred central midfield combination while Neil Mellor and Sinama-Pongolle started upfront.

In the Devils' win at Crewe's Gresty Road, Alex Ferguson too played their reserves but just take a look at their starting XI - Howard, Brown, O'Shea, Djemba-Djemba, Fletcher, Kleberson, Miller, Richardson, Bellion, Saha and Smith. That group of players is definitely more experienced than Rafa's young Reds. That might be a sign of the times or perhaps it showed Liverpool's obvious lack of quality strength in depth.

But still despite the intimidating place that is The Den, the young side emerged victorious. Salif Diao who was shocking to say the least in his last match at Fulham, drew first blood. Stephen Warnock's corner in the 18th minute was cleared into the Senegal midfielder's path and he wasted no time with a good finish with the outside of his right foot.

Millwall redoubled their attacking efforts and Neil Harris went close with a header. Adrian Serioux's ability to propel the ball a huge distance from his throw-ins gave some scares to the Liverpool defence but they handled it well. But the Reds were always looking to attack on the break and Flo-Po's pace was always a threat for Dennis Wise's men.

Immediately after the restart, the speedy French starlet could and should have made it two-nil after he latched onto a Darren Potter pass but hit the side-netting from a tight angle after rounding the keeper. The young forward then fell awkwardly and was hurt after an accidental tangle with a Millwall player and had to be replaced by Milan Baros in the 53rd minute. Nobody likes his players to get injured but it was probably a blessing in disguise for Rafa Benitez.

20 minutes from time, Baros who agonisingly failed to find the net against Deportivo and Charlton virtually sealed the tie. Stack did well to push the ball away from the feet of the marauding Potter but the ball fell to Warnock who showed tremendous awareness to square the ball to Baros. The Czech Republic international ignored David Livermore's challenge and scored from the edge of the penalty area.

Millwall had no other choice but to attack to get back into the game and that meant more space in their box for the Reds. Potter who did well throughout the match released Milan Baros with a through-ball and he cooly finished to make it 3-nil.

Millwall (4-5-1): Stack; Muscat, Ward, Lawrence, Livermore; Dunne (Healy, 79) , Elliott, Morris, Serioux (McCammon, 78), Harris; Tessem.
Substitutes not used: Marshall (gk), Simpson, Cogan.

Liverpool (4-4-2): Dudek; Josemi, Henchoz, Traoré, Whitbread; Potter, Biscan, Diao, Warnock (Riise, 81); Mellor (Finnan, 65), Sinama-Pongolle (Baros, 51).
Substitutes not used: Kirkland (gk), Carragher.

Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire)