Leeds United 0-2 Liverpool

	Fowler: Set up second goal (BenRadford/Allsport)

As the Liverpool players cavorted deliriously after two late goals had given them their second notable cup victory of the week, Eriksson must have cast his mind back to a Rome night in early December.

On that occasion, a single strike by Alan Smith had given David O'Leary's men an unexpected triumph in the much more demanding environment of the Champions League, undoubtedly accelerating the departure of the saddened Swede into the FA's welcoming embrace as England coach.

Yet here he witnessed the startling contrast in the young super-confident bunch who had taken the Olympic Stadium by storm and the current Leeds team.

Mark Viduka dwelt a shade too long on a second-minute chance, then fired embarrassingly wide after brilliantly turning defender Sami Hyypia in the 55th minute, at a time when Liverpool gave the impression they would settle happily for a fourth-round replay at Anfield.

Robbie Keane, too, should have achieved much more than hit the legs of goalkeeper Sander Westerveld when Liverpool were in something of a defensive quandary in the early stages.

Liverpool, without even getting close to the irresistible form which crushed Crystal Palace 5-0 in midweek to guarantee their place in the Worthington Cup Final, remained calm, composed and set themselves up for the kill.

Robbie Fowler struck the inside of the Leeds post in the 88th minute and substitute Nick Barmby crashed the rebound from an acute angle beyond Nigel Martyn, back in the team after an absence of three months in place of Paul Robinson.

Liverpool had an almost immediate escape when Gary McAllister upended Lee Bowyer - perhaps in retribution for an arm in the face which had drawn blood earlier in the game and was similarly overlooked by referee Andy D'Urso.