by Soccernet

Michael Owen stepped back into Liverpool's line-up last night but it was unheralded midfielder Danny Murphy who put gallant Hull to the sword in their Worthington Cup first leg at Boothferry Park.

Two first-half goals from the transfer-listed Murphy - his first for Liverpool since a £2 million move from Crewe - took the heat off star striker Owen, making his first start since badly damaging a hamstring at Leeds in April.

Owen, whose careful comeback has included two substitute appearances for England, was one of seven changes by manager Gerard Houllier to the side beaten 3-2 at Anfield by Manchester United on Saturday.

Hull, coming off the back of two Third Division wins after a shaky start to the season, were never overawed by their Premiership opponents, but their early fire was dampened when Liverpool took a 10th-minute lead.

It stemmed from a fine ball by Steve Staunton that sent Vladimir Smicer haring down the left flank, and the Czech's drilled low cross was dispatched past Lee Bracey by Murphy after Erik Meijer cleverly stepped over the ball.

That would have been enough to knock the spirit out of some teams, but Hull threw themselves into the second round tie with enough gusto to keep Liverpool on their toes. Home fans in a 10,000 crowd rose to their feet Gary Brabin smashed a shot past Sander Westerveld and against the foot of a post.

If Liverpool had been coasting at that point, they were swift to react to Hull's wake-up call and when they stepped up a gear Murphy was handed the opportunity to score a second after 30 minutes.

Meijer disputed David Thompson's centre with Mark Greaves and the ball fell kindly for the Liverpool player who was able to choose where to shoot.

After Bracey fingertipped a drive from Smicer against the bar Meijer marked his first start since a move from Germany by scoring Liverpool's third in the 41st minute.

Hull hit back with a 58th-minute strike from David Brown but Liverpool added another from Meijer in the 75th minute and one from Staunton in the dying moments.

Owen, who looked sharp despite close attention from Hull's three centrebacks, had been substituted in the 75th minute.

Hull : Bracey, Greaves, Edwards, Whittle, Harper, Brabin, Schofield, D'Auria (Alcide 55), Mann (Swales 31), Brown, Eyre (Wood 72).
Unused subs : Baker, Williams
Scorers : Brown (58th)
Bookings : --
Sentoff : --

Liverpool : Westerveld, Heggem, Hyypia, Traore, Staunton, Thompson, Murphy, Carragher, Smicer (Berger 46), Meijer, Owen (Camara 76).
Unused subs : Song, Friedel, Bjornebye
Scorers : Murphy (10th, 30th), Meijer (48th, 75th), Staunton (89th)
Bookings : --
Sentoff : --

Referee : K Leach (Codsall)

Attendance : 10,034