Bad boy Neill is sent off on his comeback

Blackburn's Lucas Neill was sent off against Liverpool for the second time this season in the Merseysiders' 4-3 Carling Cup victory at Ewood Park last night.

Australian defender Neill was dismissed by referee Mike Riley in the first half for bringing down Florent Sinama-Pongolle when Liverpool's young Frenchman was clear on goal.

It was Neill's tackle that broke Jamie Carragher's leg in the Premiership meeting between the clubs in September and sparked a war of words between managers Graeme Souness and Gerard Houllier.

Last night there was none of the bitterness that marred the first game and Souness said: 'I feel sorry for Lucas as he was playing well and it changed the game.

'We were doing well, but it was a penalty and the rules say he has to be sent off. Maybe soon we will get one in our favour at the other end.'

Liverpool were trailing 1-0 but went on to establish a 4-1 lead with two goals from Emile Heskey before late efforts from Barry Ferguson and Dwight Yorke gave Blackburn a more respectable scoreline.