Gakpo double sees Liverpool sneak through
Carabao Cup holder Liverpool moved into the quarter-finals of this season's competition after edging past Brighton and Hove Albion 3-2 thanks to a double from Cody Gakpo.
A first half of much endeavour but few chances ended goalless before Gakpo lit up the second period with a sensational opener just one minute after the restart, lashing into the far top corner from the left side of the box to put the visitors in front.
Gakpo was on hand again just after the hour mark when he was allowed into the Seagulls' box and blasted past Jason Steele at his near post.
Just as it seemed Liverpool would seal a largely routine win, Brighton briefly came back into the contest.
Simon Adingra poked home a scrappy goal to half the defecit nine minutes from time before Luis Diaz took a turn at beating Steele at his near post again to restore the two-goal lead for Liverpool.
A late strike from Tariq Lampfrey in the final minute set up a grandstand finish of sorts, but it was Arne Slot's side that held out to move through to the last eight.
