Roy Evans last night dismissed suggestions that Liverpool's drive into the League Cup semi-finals was crucial to his own position as manager at Anfield. Last Saturday's home defeat by Coventry in the FA Cup third round appeared to have put Evans's job on the line again.

But the Liverpool chief said after last night's 2-0 quarter-final victory at Newcastle: "My position in all this never crossed my mind. It was unimportant. My only feelings are that it's always important for the club to get through and achieve something.

"I was just so pleased with the overall performance. We've been doing well. The defeat by Coventry on Saturday in the FA Cup was the one performance out.

"This time the performance, effort and resilience was fantastic. It was a great team performance. We were in control in extra time and we had enough chances in normal time as well to have finished it."

Semi-Final Draw

Arsenal v Chelsea

Liverpool v Middlesbrough

First-leg ties will be played week starting January 26th, second-leg ties will be played week starting February 16th.