Brad Jones will be thrust into the spotlight at Wembley after Liverpool’s goalkeeper crisis deepened at Blackburn.
The Australian saved Yakubu’s penalty with his first touch before Andy Carroll secured a last-gasp 3-2 win for the visitors, who played for 65 minutes with 10 men after No 2 keeper Alexander Doni was sent off for the foul on Yakubu which led to the penalty.
Doni’s red card, coupled with Pepe Reina serving the final match of his three-game ban, means Jones will play against Everton in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final.
Jones lost his five-year-old son Luca to leukaemia in November but last week partner Dani gave birth to a boy named Nico. ‘The supporters have been brilliant,’ said Jones.
‘It’s been a difficult 18 months with my son passing away, so that was for him and also for them giving the support that they have‘My girlfriend just gave birth to a little boy so it’s been a big week. Now it’s just about preparing for the FA Cup semi-final and making sure I’m ready.’
Jones had not been part of a Liverpool squad until last weekend and the 30-year-old might have been sent off himself in the second half after bringing down Yakubu for another penalty, but referee Anthony Taylor opted to book him.
Blackburn manager Steve Kean had no argument with that decision and Kenny Dalglish agreed with Taylor’s call to show yellow rather than red, though the Liverpool boss declined to comment on the sending-off of Doni before he had seen a replay.
His club’s fourth-choice keeper Peter Gulacsi is on loan at Championship side Hull but Dalglish said they have yet to decide whether to recall the Hungarian. The only other option is 18-year-old Danny Ward.
Dalglish’s side will face a £25,000 FA fine after having five players booked but they will head into the season-defining showdown with Everton on a high after two goals from Maxi Rodriguez and Carroll’s flying header.
The manager said: ‘It was great for Brad’s first contribution for Liverpool in the Premier League to be a penalty save. You have to give the boys credit after all the abuse they have had recently. We will enjoy this win.’
Kean felt Liverpool’s winning goal should have been ruled out after Martin Skrtel tangled with Grant Hanley in the build-up.
The Rovers boss said: ‘We feel there was a blatant mistake. Maybe not by the referee but certainly by the linesman. I never have a go at referees but we needed that flag to go up.'
SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
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