The Final Is Still Only 90 Minutes Away

LIVERPOOL: Hansen; Darby, Spearing, Threlfall, Burns; Ryan, Barnett, Ajdarevic, Irwin (Highdale 86); Lindfield, Flynn. Subs (not used): Behan, Roberts, Parsonage, Kelly, O'Conner.

Attendance: 5,006.

Newcastle United's Academy are two goals adrift, but the created chances, and they still have another 90 minutes to put it right and reach the final.

Liverpool are the holders, and looked the part at St James' Park on Saturday, but they are far from invinciple.

Newcastle Academy manager Joe Joyce said: "We haven't given up because we've seen in the second half that we can cause them problems.

"We didn't start well and, having worked with these players for as long as I have, I can only put that down to nerves at playing in front of such a big crowd.

"As with everything at this level it has been a valuable learning experience but we improved and this tie isn't over by any means."

Liverpool were clinical in front of goal, and deserved their win, but in Andrew Carroll and Kezanga LuaLua, United have the explosive creative spark which could throw the return leg open.

LuaLua, according to Academy boss Joe Joyce, was not at his most effective because of a slight knock. But a player who only turned 16 last December still caused panic with the ball at his feet.

As for Carroll, he stood - literally, most of the time - head and shoulders above his markers and it is easy to see why Newcastle expect so much from the 17-year-old.

Carroll has played in the Uefa Cup - the youngest to ever wear the shirt in Europe - and he rose superbly to nod home Mark Doniger's free-kick. Sadly, by then Liverpool were 3-0 up, with the first a spectacular 35-yard strike from Charlie Barnett and the second a nice finish from Craig Lindfield after Astril Ajdarevic's magnificent pass had split Newcastle open through the middle.

But United created several chances, and the cost of the misses was hammered home when Flynn tapped home after a goalmouth scramble, but Carroll's header got United back into it.

Newcastle, though, did not make the pressure pay and when Alex Francis sent a poor header back towards Mark Cook, Flynn nipped in and lobbed the keeper.

An own goal from Jimmy Ryan under pressure from Donaldson brought United back into it, with both Carroll and Donaldson missing the target late on.

This competition always produces a star ... someone who goes onto greatness. Look at the last time we won it, Gazza took his chance and shone out like the star he became. The opportunity is there for Carroll and Lua Lua. Two men don't make a team, but let's see what they are made of in the 2nd leg.