Gerrard saves Liverpool's blushes

Steven Gerrard, pictured 07 October 2007, saved Liverpool's blushes as Rafa Benitez's side booked their place in the League Cup quarter-finals with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Cardiff on Wednesday.

Steven Gerrard saved Liverpool's blushes as Rafa Benitez's side booked their place in the League Cup quarter-finals with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Cardiff on Wednesday.

Cardiff, 31 places below Liverpool on the league ladder, threatened to force extra time after captain Darren Purse had cancelled out Moroccan-born 21-year-old Nabil El Zhar's first senior goal for Rafa Benitez's side at Anfield.

But England midfielder Gerrard, who scored against Besiktas in the Champions League last week before finding the net in last Sunday's 1-1 draw with Arsenal, rescued his side with a 66th minute winner to spoil Cardiff striker Robbie Fowler's return to Anfield.

On a positive night for Benitez's side, Australian international Harry Kewell climbed off the bench to play the final 20 minutes - his first appearance since the Champions League final in May.

Fowler has iconic status on the red half of Merseyside for exploits that cemented him as one of the most naturally-talented goalscorers the game has ever seen.

In his two spells at Liverpool he scored a phenomenal 183 goals in 369 appearances and also enjoyed spells at Leeds and Manchester City before dropping down to the Championship for a fresh challenge with Cardiff.

His best years might be behind him but the 32-year-old required just five minutes to give Anfield a reminder of his capabilities with a 20-yard free-kick which French keeper Charles Itandje did well to claw away.

With Spanish duo Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso both injured, Benitez made nine changes to the side held by Arsenal three days earlier.

It was a night of firsts at Anfield. Benitez gave a first Anfield start to Itandje while 19-year-old defender Jack Hobbs made his first senior start.

In addition, former St Etienne player El Zhar started in attack alongside Peter Crouch, while Kewell was on the bench for the first time since recovering from a thigh problem which had rendered him redundant for six months.

Despite Fowler's near miss, Liverpool carved out enough opportunities to have put the tie out of sight by half time.

Crouch, making only his fifth start of the campaign, Ryan Babbel and Brazilian duo Fabio Aurelio and Lucas all wasted good opportunities before the hosts survived another scare when Joe Ledley spotted Paul Parry lurking deep inside the penalty area just before half-time.

Parry made a firm connection with Ledley's cross but his goal-bound header was pushed behind by Itandje.

But just as home fans were growing restless, El Zhar popped up with a wonderful finish to put Liverpool in control shortly after half time.

Before Wednesday night, El Zhar's taste of first team action had been limited to just a handful of substitute appearances yet even a striker of Fowler's experience will have admired the way he confidently beat veteran keeper Michael Oakes from long range after good work by Gerrard.

Gerrard should have wrapped it up in the 53rd minute after a powerful run before Purse stunned Anfield with a 65th minute headed equaliser to send Cardiff's 5,000 travelling fans wild after Parry's cross from a free-kick.

They were still celebrating when Gerrard hit the winner a minute later after substitute Yossi Benayoun, who had conceded the free-kick which led to Cardiff's equaliser, had sliced the visitors defence wide open.