MIDDLESBROUGH, proud holders of the Carling Cup they won nine months ago, had their dreams of retaining the trophy torn apart last night when they were dumped out in round four by a Liverpool team determined to give Emlyn Hughes the perfect tribute.

The legendary Red's death on Tuesday led to the Anfield home were he made his name paying their respects to one of their greatest ever players.

And to Middlesbrough's cost, a young, resolute and determined Liverpool side ensured the evening went according to plan for Rafael Benitez' men as Neil Mellor struck twice in the closing seven minutes to end Steve McClaren's hopes of another trip to Cardiff via this avenue.

Extra-time beckoned as both sides struggled to find the vital breakthrough but it was Mellor's two-goal salvo that ensured Middlesbrough must now focus on their other three fronts - the Premiership, UEFA Cup and FA Cup - if they are to play in Europe next season.

Hopes were high that Middlesbrough, being watched by former boss and new West Brom chief Bryan Robson ahead of Sunday's Premiership clash, could clinch their fourth success over Liverpool in the competition.

But Liverpool, led by influential midfielder Igor Biscan, were always the most likely to progress, and did so courtesy of Mellor.

During nearly 13 years at Liverpool, the League Cup was the only winner's medal that eluded Hughes. He amassed a whopping 13 other major honours, including the European Cup, but it was not until he moved to Wolves that he added the one thing missing in his incredible collection.

Middlesbrough, of course, had to wait that little bit longer before they got their hands on the trophy and that duly arrived at the Millennium Stadium in February, ending a 128-year run without silverware.

Only Bolo Zenden, Doriva, Joseph Job and Franck Queudrue who started that day against Bolton were in McClaren's first XI last night.

Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink, with seven goals to his name since his summer move to Teesside, did not even travel, which was a relief to a home side, on the wrong end of the Dutchman's firepower during his time with both Leeds and Chelsea.

But even without Hasselbaink, Middlesbrough's side still looked the far stronger despite the absence of the experienced Gareth Southgate, Mark Schwarzer and George Boateng.

That was the case because Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, desperate for success in his first season in Premiership management, stuck with many of the side that overcame Millwall in the third round, meaning there were starts for youngsters Stephen Warnock, Mellor, Darren Potter and Zak Whitbread.

And it was Warnock, after a bright start from Middlesbrough had been quelled, who provided Liverpool with tremendous width, while Biscan, at times resembling a certain Crazy Horse who passed away on Tuesday, instilled plenty of drive into the home side's play.

The Croatian midfielder had the first meaningful effort on goal from 30 yards that was easily dealt with by goalkeeper Carlo Nash. But it was two of his runs that led to far better opportunities for Potter and Mellor.

In the first instance, Biscan worked his way through the Middlesbrough half before teeing up the right-midfielder just inside the area, but with the full goal to aim at he screwed his shot over the bar.

Then another marauding run from Biscan was followed by Florent Sinama-Pongolle's shot being turned into Warnock's path by Nash. The quick thinking of Warnock found Mellor at the back post unmarked but his header only found the top of the net.

Despite Liverpool's dominance of possession, the lack of a potent goal-getter in the ilk of Milan Baros, Djirbil Cisse, Harry Kewell or even Steven Gerrard left a chance for Middlesbrough to find an unlikely opener.

But the burgeoning talents of wide men Stewart Downing and James Morrison struggled to deliver the crucial final ball for strikers Mark Viduka and Job.

It was midfielder Zenden who thought he had given the visitors the lead four minutes before half-time but his shot on the turn was ruled out for offside, despite appearing to be played on by full-back Steve Finnan.

After the restart there was a little more purpose about Middlesbrough's attacking play and could have scored the elusive first goal. Job was played in by Downing's slide-rule pass but the Cameroon forward fired off beam.

Despite Middlesbrough stepping up a gear, Liverpool remained the most threatening. Mellor failed on three successive occasions to put Liverpool in front after further good work from Biscan.

Middlesbrough's Brazilian midfielder Doriva had a long-range drive well held by Dudek that represented their first shot on target, while Zenden somehow headed over the bar from yards out from Downing's corner.

Then Doriva's stinging volley was tipped behind for a corner by Polish keeper Dudek.

With a little over ten minutes remaining Liverpool had calls for a penalty turned down when Queudrue appeared to trip substitute Ritchie Partridge. Middlesbrough broke immediately and saw Job's left-foot shot rebound off the foot of the post.

But Liverpool's determination to finish the job before extra-time shone through and 22-year-old striker Mellor struck twice.

First he jinked the ball beyond Nash after Potter and John Welsh combined, then, with just a minute to go, Mellor's left-foot shot deflected off Zenden past Nash to put Liverpool into the last eight.

Result: Liverpool 2 Middlesbrough 0.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.