Liverpool held their nerve where others have fallen apart to record a 4-2 win over Tranmere and reach the FA Cup semi-finals.

	Steven Gerrard: Committed himself to a new contract (AlexLivesey/Allsport)

And the most relieved man on the park must have been Robbie Fowler, whose horror mistake had gifted Tranmere a lifeline. It ended with the Liverpool skipper driving home the penalty that finally broke Rovers' hearts.

Liverpool had led 2-0 at the break and 3-1 soon after. But Tranmere just would not give in.

The spectre of those heroics against Southampton last month when a 3-0 lead for the Premiership side was turned into a 4-3 Rovers victory, hung over this Mersey battle.

Liverpool were forced to defend with their lives as Tranmere launched another blitz. But Liverpool just about held on - and were eternally grateful to Fowler for that late penalty after the England striker had caused them so much heartache with a ridiculous back pass that gave Tranmere hope and the will to keep fighting.

But when the dust had settled, Liverpool were in their first FA Cup semi-final for six years, with the Worthington Cup already won and a great chance to reach the Uefa Cup last four when Porto come to Anfield on Thursday.

Tranmere were left with pride, knowing they had not been outclassed or outfought, and must hope they can carry this sort of performance into the battle against relegation.

With their first serious attack on 11 minutes, Liverpool were ahead. Sander Westerveld's long clearance reached Michael Owen deep on the left.

His cross was met by Danny Murphy on the edge of six-yard box, and the downward header - under no real pressure - bounced down and away from John Achterberg and into the net.

On 27 minutes they went two up. Sami Hyypia's long ball out to the right found Murphy unmarked and in space again, his instant pass in behind the defence saw Owen sprinting clear - looking a foot offside - but given the chance he cooly slipped the ball past Achterberg.

Rovers switched Andy Parkinson from right to left wing, because he was getting little joy while Liverpool slowly took a grip on the game.

Nick Barmby had a decent chance to make it three when Robbie Fowler's clever pass put him in space on the right of the box, but Achterberg raced from his line to save well.

Such was Liverpool's professional control at this stage, that Tranmere's first shot came on 44 minutes when Jason Koumas sent a 25-yard free-kick curling wide of a post.

Koumas then crashed in another long-range kick seconds before the break to remind Liverpool that this was not all over yet.

The last thing Liverpool needed was to give Rovers the slightest hint of incentive after the break, but within a minute of the restart John Aldridge's boys had pulled a goal back and the tension and passion level was instantly revved up.

Koumas' long ball in from the left was met by Steve Yates beyond the far post. The defender, who had scored twice to knock out Everton earlier in the tournament, saw his header hit the post, clip a desperate Westerveld and then fly into the top corner.

But seven minute after Tranmere's initial ray of hope, the two-goal advantage was restored. McAllister's corner was flicked on by Markus Babbel for Steven Gerrard to power home a close-range header.

Wayne Allison was now thrown into the fray in place of Rideout and there was little doubt that the aerial combat was going to be increased.

But a minute after his introduction, Fowler's suicidal involvement put Tranmere back into the game. The Liverpool skipper decided to run back towards his own goal and try to thread a backpass through players.

It never reached Westerveld. Babbel got in the way and the ball broke for Allison to drill delightedly past the Dutch keeper.

Igor Biscan's muscle was introduced in place of a limping Barmby, Liverpool were living on their nerves now, and the ball was forever bombing into their box.

McAllister set up Fowler on 70 minutes, but he wasted a chance to redeem himself, Achterberg saving well.

But with 10 minutes left, Liverpool got their fourth and Fowler made up for that dreadful error.

McAllister broke on the left, cleverly waited until he got into the box and cut between two defenders. Yates' brought him down, Roberts was booked for protesting, but Fowler coolly drilled home the penalty.

Still Tranmere came back, but it took a good save from Achterberg to hold a Fowler header after a lightning break from defence.

Smicer for Murphy and Jari Litmanen for Owen helped run down the clock for Liverpool, and after four minutes of injury time the relief was clear from all in red, as Tranmere went out with their pride and heads held high.