Liverpool 2-2 Middlesbrough (14-13 on pens): Reds sneak through after incredible shoot-ou

Brendan Rodgers' side were forced to spot kicks after Patrick Bamford netted a penalty in injury time of extra time, but the hosts progressed to the last 16 of the League Cup

Liverpool secured their passage to the last-16 of the League Cup after a sensational 14-13 penalty shootout over Middlesbrough.
Brendan Rodgers' men, who have lost three of their opening five Premier League fixtures, were far from their best again as they drew 2-2 after extra time in a pulsating encounter at Anfield.
And the incredible action continued into the spot kicks, with some players required to take second penalties after 20 of the first 22 were converted.

VIEW FROM ANFIELD

By Tom Maston They may have eventually done enough to reach the fourth round of the Capital One Cup, Liverpool are stilled dogged by issues that they will have to quickly rectify if they are to challenge for any silverware this season. Though youngsters Jordan Rossiter and Suso shone, Brendan Rodgers will be concerend by the way his side twice allowed Championship outfit Middlesbrough back into the match, and their defence remains a real issue. Up front Rickie Lambert failed to fire while Raheem Sterling seems to be struggling with carrying a lot of weight on his teenage shoulders. This was not the Reds' best side, but the signs are not good ahead of the Merseyside derby on Saturday.

A further seven would follow suit until Middlesbrough's Albert Adomah missed the target to secure the hosts' progress via a scarcely believable 14-13 scoreline.
It appeared a comfortable night was in the offing for Liverpool when teenage debutant Jordan Rossiter struck in the ninth minute.
But Middlesbrough were undeterred and enjoyed the better of proceedings thereafter, their reward coming midway through the second period when Adam Reach headed home to stun the home crowd.
Liverpool again took control during extra time, substitute Suso hitting his first goal of the club to seemingly seal their progression.
Patrick Bamford equalised from the spot in injury time of extra time following mistakes from Raheem Sterling and Kolo Toure, but Rodgers' side eventually booked their fourth-round berth in dramatic fashion.
Liverpool fielded something of an experimental starting XI, with the likes of Rossiter being complemented by Sterling, Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic.
The hosts came out of the blocks with positivity, moving the ball quickly in the final third.
But it was Middlesbrough who had the first effort on target, ex-Liverpool defender Daniel Ayala heading straight at Simon Mignolet.
Any momentum gleaned from that was quickly extinguished when the hosts took the lead, however.
A dreadful mix-up between Kenneth Omeruo and debutant Jamal Blackman preceded the latter making a point-blank save to deny Rickie Lambert, who captained Liverpool on his first start for the club.