By Ken Gaunt, PA Sport
  Robbie Fowler showed his thirst for the Coca-Cola Cup again tonight by
helping to steer Liverpool through to the quarter-finals. 
   The England striker scored twice in this battle of the Premiership
heavyweights with Arsenal playing out the last 34 minutes with ten men
after Steve Bould was sent off. 
   Fowler loves this competition. He equalised for Liverpool in the third
round at Charlton then twice more in the replay. 
   But his 12th goal of the season which gave Liverpool the lead tonight
came in controversial circumstances. 
   Fowler rattled the ball home from the penalty spot six minutes before
half-time after referee Alan Wilkie had ruled that Lee Dixon had handled. 
   The Arsenal players protested furiously after the incident, but Fowler
remained cool to put Liverpool in the driving seat. 
   Steve McManaman had levelled for the home side in the 25th minute after
Ian Wright's opener for Arsenal. 
   England winger McManaman missed the 1-1 draw against Wimbledon on
Saturday because of a niggling hamstring injury.     
But he proved in the early stages of this match there was little wrong
with his fitness. 
   McManaman put Liverpool back on level terms in the 25th minute with a
towering header beyond keeper John Lukic after a superb cross from Stig
Bjornebye on the left. 
   Arsenal, without Dennis Bergkamp, who had aggravated his thigh strain in
the warm-up, had taken the lead after 12 minutes following an error by Neil
Ruddock. 
   Liverpool's central defender carelessly lost possession to John Hartson
on the edge of the area. 
   The Welsh international took the ball on, only to be floored by keeper
David James. Wright stepped up to stun the Kop. 
   Liverpool extended their advantage with the third goal coming just seven
minutes after the break. 
   And again it was Fowler who found the target with his second goal of the
game and his 13th of the season after a magnificent move. 
   Jason McAteer played a one-two with McManaman with the Republic of
Ireland defender breaking down the right.     
His low cross was inch perfect and Fowler racing in at the far post made
no mistake. 
   Arsenal were rattled and they suffered a further setback in the 56th
minute when Bould was sent off for his second bookable offence. 
   Bould, who picked up his first yellow card after 54 seconds for a foul
on Fowler, was dismissed for a reckless challenge on McManaman. 
   But Arsenal showed their fighting spirit by pulling a goal back in the
68th minute when Wright matched Fowler by getting his second of the match. 
   Referee Wilkie awarded the third penalty of the night, and the second
involving Hartson when the Arsenal forward was fouled by Mark Wright. 
   Wright stepped up and produced another cool finish for his 18th goal of
the season only for Liverpool to regain their two-goal advantage four
minutes later. 
   McManaman released McAteer and he picked out Patrik Berger, 25 yards out
from the Arsenal goal. 
   The Czech Republic star took one step forward then released a stunning
shot into the bottom corner to take the game out of Arsenal's reach.

                                     By Ken Gaunt, PA Sport


WENGER GIVES LIVERPOOL HIS APPROVAL

   Arsene Wenger paid a glowing tribute to Liverpool after they had knocked
his Arsenal side out of the Coca-Cola Cup tonight. 
   The Gunners arrived at Anfield on a roll after only two defeats in the
Premiership this season. 
   But two goals by Robbie Fowler helped steer Liverpool's passage through
this fourth round game with a 4-2 margin. 
   Steve McManaman and Patrik Berger were also on target while Ian Wright
scored twice for Arsenal, both goals coming from the penalty spot. 
   Wenger saw his side forced to play out the last 34 minutes with ten men
as Steve Bould was sent off for his second bookable offence, the first one
coming after only 50 seconds . 
   Wenger said: "I thought the first booking was bit harsh as it was the
first time he was involved in the game. But you just have to accept these
things. 
   "Liverpool are the best side we have played since I joined Arsenal. They
deserved to win tonight.             
 "Physically they looked sharper than us and they won every one-one in
every zone. 
   "There were many turns in the game and after their second goal it became
very difficult for us. 
   "When you have ten men against 11 from Liverpool it becomes nearly
impossible." 
   Wenger had to withdraw Dennis Bergkamp from his starting line-up as the
Dutchman aggravated his thigh strain in the warm-up.  
   "We didn't want to risk him," said the Highbury boss. 
   Liverpool boss Roy Evans made three changes to the side that drew with
Wimbledon with Dominic Matteo, Jamie Redknapp and Stan Collymore relegated
to the subs bench. 
   Evans said: "That is as well as we have done all season. We looked much
more compact. Sometimes you take a chance like I did and it makes a
difference. It was a fine team performance. 
   "Our all-round play was good and the crowd gave us terrific backing. I
am sure they enjoyed it."               

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