LIVERPOOL actively courted disaster before ruthlessly imposing their will on the minnows of FC Sion on a most memorable night at Anfield. Five goals in the second half moved Liverpool forward into the quarter finals of the Cup Winners Cup.

On a Hallowe'en night that might have sent even the most dedicated demon in search of sanctuary, Anfield was filled to overflowing.

Just as in the previous round a besotted Merseyside public had walked through the wind and rain chasing that special magic.

On a playing surface made difficult by incessant rain, there was little room for artistry or style. That is to say Sion lovingly embraced the foul British weather.

As several of Liverpool's more seasoned players had pointed out beforehand, Sion are a surprisingly accomplished side and, among the predictable references to rolling over the Swiss after the Reds' 2-1 victory away, there was food for thought.

Liverpool's manager Roy Evans, and the club captain John Barnes, had talked of complacency, the age old enemy of all sides holding first leg leads.

Rather sadly, no one seemed to have been paying attention, the warnings went unheeded and Sion could hardly believe their good fortune.

They opened as they had a fortnight earlier, lacerating Liverpool's five man defence with a series of speedy assaults.

Seemingly confused by Sion's brashness, or perhaps annoyed by the level of their cheek, Liverpool fell back to reassess the situation. It was a dangerous ploy that cried out to be punished.

The advantage with which Liverpool began the evening was erased as early as the 19th minute, when Christophe Bonvin's sprint down the left ended with a crisp, low cross and Frederic Chassot would have struggled to miss from six yards. He did not, of course.

Worse was to follow. Three minutes on and the diligent Swiss forged farther ahead. From a defensive perspective it was a disgraceful and ugly goal, Bonvin allowed to carry the ball forward unchallenged for some 30 yards before steering a flashing drive just inside a post.

Commendably, Liverpool steadied themselves and they were able to level the aggregate score in the 27th minute when Sion, foolishly, allowed Steve McManaman to arrive unannounced at the far post to poke in a McAteer cross.

Thereafter, Liverpool were belatedly overcome by a sense of urgency. Berger and Scales went close and yet Liverpool's football was still lacking its usual direction and quality.

Even so, they drew level just nine minutes into the second half when Bjornebye rose from the sodden turf after being fouled to sweep in a free kick from 30 yards, one which the goalkeeper Lehmann should have gathered.

There was more to follow. Much more. After 64 minutes Chassot laid claim to his second goal of the night after out pacing Matteo and then rounding James.

However, within the space of six remarkable minutes Liverpool were able to move the game well out of Sion's reach. Sixty seconds after Chassot had struck, Barnes back heeled in Berger's low cross.

As the Swiss began to fold, Fowler struck twice in the space of 90 seconds to reinforce Liverpool's advantage before Berger scored in the last minute.