We were probably lucky to get to a replay but if the best teams can play awful and avoid defeat then we’re world class, as the first tie performance was abysmal.

The first half here wasn’t much better, and Babel’s opener on half time eased a lot of frustration, and was probably somewhat fortuitous, as I could hear the “boo” boys warming up with seconds to go. Still, chants of “Rafa-Rafael” blasted out throughout the whole game. I don’t think he’s perfect but he’s a top man and a top manager and our support for him was brilliant.

Stevie got a hattrick, the first one a Liverpool player has scored since Collymore back in ‘95 against Rochdale. Hyypia scored his fourth for the season, and amazing enough it was from a corner, which goes to show 50th-time lucky.

Not a great match but good to see some goals; paper over cracks at the moment I feel though.

Scorers:

Babel x 1

Gerrard x 3

Hyypia x 1