England striker Michael Owen gave Vale's defence an uncomfortable afternoon as Liverpool avoided any undue alarms in the third round of the FA Cup.

BBC News 24's Owen Williams reports

The teenager tucked away a penalty and his pace and skill carried the main threat for the Merseysiders.

"His pace is just frightening. I don't envy defenders having to cope with him," said Port Vale manager John Rudge. "Some of the best defenders in the world have failed to cope with Owen, so my lads are in good company."

BBC Radio 5 Live's Alan Green reports from Vale Park

Dave Barnett and Paul Beesley both collected yellow cards for fouls on the teenager, but First Division Vale took something positive out of the game after a brave second half performance.

Paul Ince also found the net before Owen set up substitute Robbie Fowler late on to underline Liverpool's superiority.

Injury problems

Vale have upset the odd giant or two in past Cup encounters but injuries and illness deprived them of six first-team regulars, which resulted in a debut for Neil Brisco.

Steve McManaman and Veggard Heggem were absent for Liverpool, with Jason McAteer coming in on the right flank.

Jason McAteer challenges Peter Beadle

The early stages saw Liverpool testing out Vale with some crisp passing and Kevin Pilkington had to race from his line when Michael Owen was set free by a ball over the top from Patrik Berger.

Steve Staunton needed treatment after a collision with teammate Jamie Carragher as they both went for the same ball but that was Liverpool's only defensive headache in the first 15 minutes.

Gerard Houllier talks to BBC Radio 5 Live

Jamie Redknapp flashed a deflected shot past the upright but Vale responded to win a free-kick just outside Liverpool's penalty area.

Striker Peter Beadle has a powerful shot but on this occasion failed to make clean contact and David James held the ball safely.

Michael Owen gives Liverpool the lead (BBC Radio 5 Live)

Liverpool should have been awarded a penalty when the referee failed to spot a handball by Dave Barnett, but the burly defender did not escape in the 34th minute when he stepped across Owen as the England star sped into the box.

Home fans clearly thought Owen had dived but he was undisturbed as he picked himself up to beat Pilkington with the spot-kick, although the 'keeper got his right-hand to the ball.

They were two up four minutes later when Phil Babb headed Berger's free-kick back across goal for Paul Ince to nod home from five yards.

Babb to the rescue

Paul Ince (right) is congratulated by Phil Babb

Tony Naylor had a chance to reduce the deficit when he raced clear in the 52nd minute but Babb had the edge in speed and a superbly-timed tackle prevented the striker from getting in a shot.

Paul Ince gets Liverpool's second (BBC Radio 5 Live)

Midfielder Ian Bogie took up more advanced positions and he had a drive deflected away for a corner five minutes later after Beadle laid the ball into his path.

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier tried to rejuvenate his team by bringing on Fowler and Steve Harkness in place of Karl Heinz Riedle and Stig Inge Bjornebye.

Vale presented Fowler with the ball in the 77th minute but he hit the side-netting with the unmarked Owen waiting for a square ball.

The home side brought on French forward Christophe Horlaville, on loan from Le Havre, and he tested James with a 25-yard drive.

Robbie Fowler seals it for the Reds (BBC Radio 5 Live)

Redknapp and Berger combined on the left before the Czech teed up Fowler, whose first-time effort again found the side-netting, and Ince brought a good save from Pilkington.

But Liverpool were not to be denied and Owen nut-megged his marker near the corner flag in the last minute before teeing up Fowler, whose fierce left-foot shot gave the 'keeper no chance.

Their reward was a trip to Manchester United but Houllier said: "You know that if you are going to win the trophy you have to get past the very best teams in the country, and that's what we will be trying to do."

Port Vale: Pilkington, Walsh, Tankard, Beesley, Barnett, Aspin, Brisco, Bogie, Beadle, Naylor, McGlinchey. Subs: Horlaville, Musselwhite, O'Callaghan, Corden, Snijders.

Liverpool: James, McAteer, Staunton, Babb, Owen, Redknapp, Riedle, Berger, Ince, Bjornebye, Carragher. Subs: Kvarme, Fowler, Harkness, Friedel, Thompson.