But it was mountain to climb, and Newcastle United Juniors were knocked out of the FA Youth Cup after a 3-1 defeat in which both teams were reduced to 10 men.
Goalkeeper Blunders Cost Newcastle Final Place
Magpies skipper Rob Cavener scored in the 29th-minute, heading home a corner, after seeing a header crass against the bar earlier in the game.
United dominated the first half but three minutes after the break the scores were level, Craig Lindfield prodding home from close range after goalkeeper Mark Cook made a mess of a straight forward catch from Ray Putterill.
Astrit Ajdarevic was then shown a straight red for kicking Andy Carroll in the air, when the pair landed in a heap.
Lindfield grabbed his second on the hour, again converting from close in, following another poor effort from Cook to parry a shot from Ryan.
Kazenga LuaLua seemed intent on picking up a red card in the 64th minute for a childish act off dissent, leaving the referee no choice. Off he trooped, and Jimmy Ryan wrapped up the tie. His 30-yard drive found Cook wanting yet again.
Liverpool will play either Arsenal or Manchester United in the final. The first leg at Arsenal drew a crowd of 4,000 MORE than Tottenham's home fixture in the UEFA Cup that very same night.
LIVERPOOL: Hansen, Darby, Burns, Spearing, Threlfall, Barnett, Ryan, Ajdarevic, Lindfield, Flynn, Putterill. Subs: Kelly, Roberts, Highdale, Irwin, Scott.
NEWCASTLE: Cook, Cowan, Critchlow, Morris, Taylor (Francis 79), Cavener, Doninger, Godsmark (Marwood 87), LuaLua, Carroll, Donaldson (Grieve 87). Subs (not used): Debbage, Bertram.