Man City 0 Liverpool 1
A second half penalty from England midfielder Danny Murphy booked Liverpool their place in the FA Cup fourth round today after a scrappy victory over Manchester City at Maine Road.
Murphy calmly converted his 47th minute spot-kick after City midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe used his hand to block Vladimir Smicer's cross into the penalty area.
Liverpool, who have not won in their last 10 league games, fully deserved their victory for showing more initiative than a City side who never got into their usual attacking rhythm.
"Everybody at the club's delighted," explained Liverpool skipper Sami Hyypia.
"I think we played quite well and in the first hour of the game we dominated them. We didn't have so many clear chances but we kept the ball, kept passing and kept moving.
"I think that's the only way we can improve now."
Liverpool dominated the first half but failed to carve out a clear-cut chance - their best effort being a 25-metre volley from Czech midfielder Smicer which Peter Schmeichel palmed away.
Liverpool kept up the pressure after the re-start and were rewarded almost immediately when Foe leapt in the air with his arms flailing to block Smicer's cross.
Murphy coolly slotted home the penalty, sending Schmeichel the wrong way.
City tried to get back into the game but their attacks were snuffed out by a well-organised defence.
Liverpool coach Gerard Houllier sharpened his attack for the final 20 minutes - replacing 20-year-old Neil Mellor with Emile Heskey, but keeping on El-Hadji Diouf for injured Michael Owen.
Diouf nearly scored an amazing goal in stoppage time when Schmeichel cleared with a header inside his own half and the Senegal striker's first-time volley flashed narrowly wide of an open goal from 30 metres.
For City fans, though, it was a sad end to their team's last FA Cup tie at Maine Road, as the club are moving to a new ground next season.