Liverpool reached the FA Cup fifth round after seeing off Cardiff City.
Diogo Jota finally broke the deadlock early in the second half as he met Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free kick with a header which bounced into The Kop’s net.
New signing Luiz Diaz made an instant impact for the Reds’ second when he teed up Takumi Minamino within minutes of making a substitute appearance.
Harvey Elliott added a finishing touch on his long-awaited return after bringing down Andy Robertson’s cross and unleashing an exquisite volley.
But the visitors pulled back a late consolation goal from a well-worked counter attack which was rounded off by Ruben Colwill’s tidy close-range finish.
Jurgen Klopp’s side now face a home tie against Premier League counterparts Norwich City just days after their Carabao Cup final showdown with Chelsea.
Here were the key talking points from Anfield:
Elliott back with a bang
Jurgen Klopp described it as ‘a fairy tale’ afternoon for Harvey Elliott.
But Liverpool’s teenage midfielder was simply making up for lost time on his first outing since suffering an ankle injury against Leeds United in September.
The 148 days between Elliott’s most recent appearances in a red shirt forced him to be patient after enjoying an explosive start to the current campaign.
Coming on for Naby Keita in the 65th minute, the 18-year-old proved that his lengthy spell on the sidelines had done little to dampen his technical ability.
All the hallmarks which first had Kopites salivating were still there, with an eagerness to get on the ball and make life uncomfortable for the opposition.
A goal to enjoy again and again from Harvey Elliott! pic.twitter.com/ZgDvKBRi6P#LFC #EmiratesFACup #LIVCAR
— Liverpool FC news (@ClickLFC) February 6, 2022
He saved the best for last, though, with a maiden Reds’ goal demonstrating excellent close control as well as an instinctive volley into The Kop’s net.
Elliott’s displays earlier this season left fans wanting more and if this latest one is an indication of a forthcoming trend, his best is yet to come.
Could Diaz be another Suarez?
With some notable exceptions, Liverpool debuts can often be tricky affairs.
Adjusting to the surroundings of Anfield, let alone English football, requires something of a bedding-in period, especially for those arriving from overseas.
Luis Diaz, however, may prove an outlier after a second-half cameo during which he not only appeared lively throughout but also carved out an assist.
The Colombia international seized on Perry Ng’s dribble out from defence before hugging the touchline and teeing up an arriving Takumi Minamino.
He also left the pitch with a souvenir from his foray into the domestic game after Aden Flint stood on his knee when the pair vied for an aerial duel.
Inevitably, Diaz’s early antics drew comparisons with Luis Suarez, not least as both were January arrivals who thrived on their Liverpool bows as substitutes.
Time will tell if the ex-Porto forward can emulate the Uruguayan but he already seems to be attuned to the demands of Klopp and his new employers.
Sluggish Reds get up to speed
Whether caused by the lull of the recent international break or because of the Sunday noon kick-off time, Liverpool started this game noticeably out of sorts.
Klopp’s determination to get his side up and running ahead of Thursday’s visit of Leicester City was as pressing an issue as reaching the FA Cup fifth round.
Yet a languid first-half performance appeared at odds with their manager’s vision of intense pressing and killing off games at the earliest opportunity.
They fashioned a succession of attacks but the finishing left a lot to be desired, with Keita, Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota, notably, fluffing their lines.
Undoubtedly, Klopp’s words at half-time lit a fire within his players as they re-emerged for the second 45 with the familiar traits on display in an abundance.
Setting up another cup tie with Norwich City in the next round belatedly became a formality ahead of a testing period for Liverpool on all fronts.
It took a while but Klopp’s side eventually brought themselves up to speed.