Liverpool were level within two minutes when Sinama-Pongolle's neat turn drew Cunningham into a lunge and Barry pointed to the spot.

BBC: Liverpool brush away Blues

But it was Liverpool's youngsters who finished the opening 90 minutes strongest - as Florent Sinama Pongolle began to grow in confidence.

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Cisse hit the post after being played through by Florent Sinama-Pongelle, while Neil Lennon could have been dismissed for a lunge on Kewell.

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The duel between Sinama-Pongolle and Upson continued and on 50 minutes the Frenchman robbed Upson and sprinted away before laying the ball across for Heskey, who could not get a connection.

BBC: Liverpool brush away Blues

The opening chance of a first-half dominated by Liverpool fell to the unlikely figure of Traore, who could only shoot straight at Cech after being set up by Florent Sinama Pongolle.

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Le Havre have an outstanding reputation in developing young players, nurturing players like Real Madrid's Lassana Diarra and Wigan's Charles N'Zogbia as well as Atletico Madrid's Florent Sinama-Pongolle, who moved from the French club to Liverpool, before going to Spain.

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