Liverpool 1-1 Carlisle AET: Bogdan the hero as Reds win 3-2 on penalties
Liverpool scraped into the fourth round of the League Cup by beating League Two side Carlisle on penalties at Anfield.The Reds went in front when Danny Ings headed in Adam Lallana's cross from close range, but Derek Asamoah fired in a low shot for the equaliser.There were boos from Reds fans when the game went into extra time, and Carlisle held on to take the game to penalties.
Reds keeper Adam Bogdan, who was making his debut, saved three spot-kicks to secure victory for his side.It was a much-needed win for the Merseysiders, who had not won in their previous five matches.
But they again struggled in front of goal and have scored just six times in eight games.
Liverpool will play Bournemouth in the fifth round in a repeat of a Premier League game they won in controversial fashion earlier this season.
So close for CumbriansCarlisle, who are 10th in League Two and were once managed by Liverpool's legendary former boss Bill Shankly, grew in confidence the longer the game progressed.Asamoah's equaliser came against the run of play but the visitors, who have conceded 17 league goals this season - the joint-most in the top four divisions, defended resolutely.
Keeper Mark Gillespie made several saves, while Alex Gilliead went close with a long-range effort late on in extra time.
Bogdan saves the day
Hungary keeper Bogdan, 27, arrived at Anfield on a free transfer in the summer following his departure from Championship side Bolton.
He became an instant hero, saving three penalties at the Anfield Road End - in front of the 6,000 away supporters - to help the Reds avoid an embarrassing defeat.
Rodgers under pressureBBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty: "Liverpool may have made progress in the Capital One Cup - but the tortuous performance and need for penalties to oust Carlisle does nothing to ease pressure on manager Brendan Rodgers.
"On a day when Liverpool dismissed speculation suggesting former AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris St-Germain and Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was being lined up as a potential replacement for Rodgers, it required heroics from deputy keeper Adam Bogdan in the shootout to see off a team 65 places below them on the league ladder.
"Anfield delivered a resounding raspberry in the direction of Liverpool's players at various points throughout a very long evening, and there is no doubt Rodgers owes the keeper signed from Bolton Wanderers in the summer a large debt of gratitude.
"That is because defeat by lowly Carlisle may just have been too much even for those among a Liverpool fanbase who still support Rodgers.
"Rodgers is a manager seemingly always one defeat away from a crisis - but a cup exit here may have sparked a chain of events even more significant than that.
"Instead, Liverpool stumble into the next round of the Capital One Cup to at least earn Rodgers a little breathing space - but not much.
"Yes it was a victory, and an important one, but not a win or performance that will dispel a single doubt over a manager who has been under serious scrutiny ever since Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group kept faith with him in the summer."
'It will get better'
Liverpool first-team coach Gary McAllister:
"There were big sighs of relief in that dressing room and the players are extremely happy.
"And it will get better. The feeling is that we're working hard in training, we'll persevere, and we'll try to win games and perform well.
"Maybe this is one of those little things that can just pull us together as we look forward to the weekend.
"The positives were we are through to the next round and we've had over 50 shots at goal."
Carlisle manager Keith Curle:
"You are looking at a team which made a lot of friends tonight."
What next?
Liverpool face a game against fellow strugglers Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday, while Carlisle host Newport, who are bottom of League Two
LINEUP, BOOKINGS (1) & SUBSTITUTIONS (6)
Liverpool
34 Bogdan
23 Can
37 Skrtel
06 Lovren
02 Clyne (Ibe - 86' )
07 Milner
24 Allen (Coutinho - 64' )
18 Moreno
11 Firmino (Origi - 35' Booked )
28 Ings
20 Lallana
Substitutes
10 Coutinho
12 Gomez
27 Origi
32 Brannagan
33 Ibe
39 Fulton
46 Rossiter
Carlisle United
01 Gillespie
02 Miller
05 Raynes
03 Grainger
44 McQueen
16 Dicker
04 Joyce
07 Kennedy (Gillesphey - 73' )
12 Sweeney (Ibehre - 64' )
10 Héry
25 Asamoah (Gilliead - 64' )
Substitutes
06 Atkinson
13 Hanford
14 Ibehre
17 Gilliead
19 Balanta
20 Archibald-Henville
26 Gillesphey
Ref: Andy Madley
Att: 42,518
