The Reds travelled South to Brighton for the League cup and made it through to the next round after a two one win.
The Reds made a host of changes to the side but still put out a strong side. Daniel Agger was injured whilst Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel were both suspended after their red cards at the weekend.
Brighton got the game started at the Amex stadium but it was the Reds who started better and they were on the move straight away.
After just three minutes Spearing found the ball in space outside the box but his shot was still rising as it flew over the bar.
On seven minutes the Reds took the lead when Craig Bellamy scored with a neat finish after a good move. Maxi fed Suarez who held the ball up until Bellamy made the run and then the Welsh forward struck across the keeper and in to the net at the back post. A perfect start and a perfect way to get going after the Spurs game.
The Reds continued to play well throughout the half and were the better side.
On eighteen minutes the Reds were so close to going two up when Brighton failed to clear a corner and when Kuyt headed back across the goal it was hacked off the line by Mackail-Smith.
The home side were struggling to get in to the game but had a good attack on twenty minutes when Buckley attacked the right wing but he ran the ball out before he could cross the ball.
On twenty six minutes Kuyt managed to send Suarez through but his shot across the keeper clipped the outside of the far post and went out.
A few minutes later and Suarez hit the woodwork again when he headed a Bellamy free kick wide off the same post.
The Reds were well on top at this point and really just needed to make the chances count to save any embarrassment.
As the half wore on it hit a point of niggles as Navarro was booked for a poor tackle on Suarez. Cook was then warned and for me lucky not to be carded when he was late and from behind on Bellamy. Sparrow was then booked as he took Spearing out in midfield.
After the Cook talking too Bellamy struck the free kick from some thirty five yards and it flew goal bound only to fly back off the bar.
On forty three minutes Spearing hit the post as he saw his shot pushed just wide by the keeper.
The home side did have a bright finish to the half though and went close to equalising after they opened up our defence and a half save from Reina had to be cleared by Kelly with the net gaping.
Neither side made changes at half time and the Reds started it again. Just two minutes in and Coates gave away a shocking cross field ball which Noone collected and then hit the bar with his shot.
The home side had a good start to the half but just couldn't really create that ideal opening to overly trouble Reina in the Liverpool goal.
Jay Spearing picked up a booking as he pushed his man over in the centre circle but as time went on the Reds go back in to the game a little.
Brighton like to get the ball down and play football and this was nice to watch but also helped a little as it's more natural to us.
The first change came after the hour mark when Vicente replaced Buckley.
With the game becoming more even now it allowed the pace to drop a little more and after seventy five minutes the Reds decided it was going ok to allow Steven Gerrard on. He replaced Luis Suarez and slotted in to the midfield.
The Reds effectively put the game beyond doubt on eighty one minutes when Gerrard hooked a ball clear from our area. Craig Bellamy chased it down wide left and then played a superb ball for Maxi who was charging forward with Kuyt. After holding the ball up he then set up Kuyt who sent the ball across and past the keeper. The ball went in off the far post to seal the passage to the next round.
With the clock now ticking down the Reds made a second change as John Flanagan replaced Martin Kelly.
Brighton were given a lifeline with a minute to go as Jay Spearing lost the ball in the area to Vicente and as he cut back Carragher hacked him down for a clear penalty. Barnes spotted the ball up and scored superbly well to set a good finish up to the game.
Lucas picked up a booking a minute in to injury time after he took LuaLua out and although it was a yellow for the offence the ball had clearly gone out for a throw in the build up. You even saw Poyet admit as much on the line afterwards. Thankfully the Reds were not made to pay for the decision and the ref blew up for the end of the match.
MotM : Craig Bellamy - handed his first start since his return and he ran the line really well creating all kinds of havoc and linked the play up really well which bodes well for the season.
