Liverpool last years Worthington Cup champions went in to there first match at retaining there title against Grimsby Town of the Nationwide First Division, a team who had conceded 13 goals in the past 4 league games, and were odds on to get an absolute battering by the Premiership giants of Liverpool.
The Mariners roared on with 5,000 away fans started off playing there cards close to there chest, as Liverpool pushed the small Lincolnshire outfit to the limit, but The Mariners never gave Liverpool the respect they noramlly get from other teams.
A pool side featuring over 7 International footballers in the starting 11 was slightly weaker than expected with Stephen Wright, Vladmir Smicer, Chris Kirkland and Gregory Vignal drafted in to replace Markus Babbel, Michael Owen, Jerzy Dudek and Emile Heskey. Grimsby also had a weaker side out with John Mcdermott and Menno Willems missing out due to injury and suspension, so Ben Chapman and David Beharall pushed into replace them.
At half time the score remained 0-0 though Liverpool looked more confident after more pocession and the feeling that they had beaten Grimsby 3-0 back in 1997 in the same competition on the same ground. Frode Kippe came on to replace Gregory Vignal who was injured in the first half and Grimsby took off Jonny Rowan and brought on Bradley Allen.
Grimsby started to take over midway through the second half despite Liverpool bringing on Emile Heskey and Jamie Redknapp as subs. Grimsby also brought on former Manchester United youngster Michael Boulding who nearly earned a penalty for Town as he was pulled by Finnish defender Sami Hyppia as Boulding sprinted towards goal.
To many peoples suprise The Mariners took a shocked Liverpool on to extra time. Litmanen failing to break the deadlock on a number of diferent ocassions, and also Heskey had a header cleared of the line by Town defender Danny Butterfield. Finally Liverpool got there break when Jari Litmanen flicked the ball up onto David Beharall`s arm and the refere awarded Liverpool with a penalty. Gary McAllister stepped up and powered the shot home pass confident Grimsby keeper Danny Coyne.
With Liverpool 1-0 up, Grimsby started to put more pressure on. Stuart Campbell beat Carragher on the far side and managed to supply a superb cross which was headed against Hyppia by Bradley Allen the deflected ball fell to Town`s Marlon Broomes, on loan from Blackburn Rovers who volleyed the ball past Chris Kirkland in to the back of the Liverpool net to send the Grimsby fans absolutley crazy.
Liverpool started to attack with Danny Murphy and Heskey both going close, but not managing to break past Danny Coyne. Momets later Coyne`s long goalkick was placed onto the head of Sami Hyppia who sent the ball back to former Everton man Phil Jevons who ran with the ball and sent a thundering shot into the back of the Liverpool goal from all of 35 yards out. The Mariners manager Lennie Lawrence along with the rest of his staff went crazy as Jevons pealed away with the rest of the players to celebrate his wonder goal, also The Mariners crowd went wild chanting abuse and songs at the Merseyside club. While stunned Liverpool fans stormed out of Anfield in outrage.
Overall Grimsby were magic on the night and proved they are stronger than people make out, a well deserved win in the end to knock the holders out.
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