Third-choice keeper Brad Jones will play against Everton at Wembley after Alexander Doni was sent off last night, ruling him out through suspension.
Andy Carroll’s stoppage-time header capped a dramatic win, his first goal since February giving Kenny Dalglish’s side only their third Premier League victory of 2012.
But the major talking point was Liverpool’s goalkeeping calamity. With first-choice Pepe Reina and back-up Doni both suspended, Jones will go straight in against Everton.
Dalglish was bullish about the predicament and said: “I don’t have a problem with it [Jones playing against Everton]. I don’t have a problem whatsoever.”
Liverpool are likely to ask the Premier League for permission to bring in an emergency keeper for Saturday, with their only other option for the bench 17-year-old rookie Tyrell Bedford.
“I don’t know what the rules are,” said Dalglish. “I honestly don’t know. At least we’ve got one anyway.”
Dalglish hailed Carroll’s display but claimed the under-fire striker had not been suffering from a lack of confidence.
“I think Andy is really confident and he got what he deserved tonight,” said Dalglish.
“He worked really hard, and scored a fantastic header. I don’t think confidence is a problem.”
“I think the victory will do everybody the world of good. We’ve not had the best of results recently but that will give everyone a lift.”
Jones came off the bench for his first Premier League appearance in three years following Doni’s 25th-minute dismissal for bringing down Junior Hoilett.
His first task was to save a penalty from Yakubu, who later scored with a header and an equaliser from the spot, after the Liverpool keeper had shoved him over.
Jones has endured a traumatic time, following the death of his six-year-old son Luca last November after a year-long battle with leukaemia.
Tragedy gave way to joy for Jones and partner Dani a week ago as the pair celebrated the birth of a baby boy, Nico Luca.
Last night Jones dedicated Liverpool’s win to his late son. “The supporters have been brilliant,” said Jones.
“It has been a difficult 18 months with my son passing away. That was for him and obviously for them as well for giving me the support they have.
“My girlfriend gave birth to a little boy so it’s been a big week.
“The semi-final is not something I have been thinking about, to be honest.
“But it’s a big game and it’s about preparing for that and making sure I’m focused.”
Rovers boss Steve Kean was aggrieved at Liverpool’s winner, claiming his side should have been awarded a free-kick moments before Carroll scored.
“We feel very aggrieved about the last goal,” said Kean. “If you look at it again from a different angle, Grant Hanley is trying to get up and Martin Skrtel pulls him down so he can’t get back up to get to the centre of the goal.
“Agger headed it to where Hanley would have been there to recover it. We feel it is a foul that should have been picked up. It’s a tough one to take.”
