WASTEFUL POOL SHOT DOWN BY PALACE
All three goals came in the second-half, with Vladimir Smicer replying for the visitors, but Pool boss Gerard Houllier will be wondering how his side failed to win having created so many chances.
The early moments were typical of a frenetic cup tie, as play flowed from end-to-end, with the visitors setting the trend for the entire game, creating chances but then squandering them.
Michael Owen in particular looked sadly lacking in confidence, wasting a host of chances throughout the match.
On 10 minutes, Emile Heskey burst down the right and cut the ball back for Owen, but he blazed over the bar when it looked easier to score.
Moments later, Owen was played clear, but his electric pace was not there as Fan Zhiyi, who is no slouch, raced back to avert the danger.
As Liverpool continued to camp themselves in Palace`s half, Heskey then fluffed an amazing chance, as the impressive Steven Gerrard sent him clear but he fired over the bar when one-on-one with Alex Kolinka.
In a rare Palace attack, Morrison fired a snap-shot from the edge of the box that stung the palms of Sander Westerveld.
The pattern continued after the break, with Owen again guilty of a missed opportunity, but on this occasion Kolinka deserved credit for a fine save.
Liverpool were then made to pay for their lapses in front of goal, as Rubins raced down the left and flashed a shot from 25-yards that flew past Westerveld before he could blink.
This prompted Houllier to introduce Jari Litmanen, but he wasted his only chance, treading on the ball when well placed on the edge of the box.
Palace then, again, showed Liverpool how to finish, as Morrison hit a shot on the turn that again left Westerveld with no chance.
Liverpool continued to press and Vladimir Smicer eventually found the target, a goal that was created by Litmanen, but Palace earned the victory.
The only plus for Liverpool is that Houllier will be convinced that his side cannot possibly miss as many chances in the second leg as they did at Selhurst Park.
