Hugo Ekitike scored the winner and was later sent off as Liverpool edged Southampton 2-1 to book their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
The French striker, who replaced Alexander Isak at half-time, struck in the 85th minute.
He was then dismissed for a second yellow card after removing his shirt in celebration.
Earlier, Sweden forward Isak had opened his Liverpool account with a composed finish in the 43rd minute. He capitalised on a mistake from Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy to put Liverpool ahead.
However, the Reds were pegged back in the second half when Shea Charles punished a defensive lapse. He headed home after Wataru Endo’s misplaced clearance.
Ekitike then restored Liverpool’s advantage but left his side to finish the game with 10 men.
Manager Arne Slot, who rotated his squad completely from the weekend win over Everton, admitted it was far from a perfect display but praised his side’s resilience.
Liverpool, 10-time winners of the competition, have now reached the last 16 despite a nervy ending at Anfield.
The victory was overshadowed by an injury to debutant defender Giovanni Leoni, who was stretchered off with a suspected knee problem late in the match.
Ekitike, signed from Eintracht Frankfurt for £69m in the summer, later apologised on social media, acknowledging his costly mistake.
He will now serve a suspension and miss Saturday’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace.
Elsewhere, Chelsea survived a scare against League One side Lincoln City, overturning a first-half deficit to win 2-1.
Teenager Tyrique George starred with a goal and an assist, setting up Facundo Buonanotte for the decisive strike after Rob Street had given Lincoln a surprise lead.
Brighton enjoyed a far more comfortable night, thrashing Barnsley 6-0.
Paraguayan midfielder Diego Gomez scored four times, including a stunning first-half hat-trick to move his ahead in the competition.
Action continues today in the cup as English Premiere heavyweights, Newscatle, Arsenal and Manchester City will play their respective opponents.
