Swansea produced a majestic performance at Anfield to reach the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup for the first time in their history and in doing so beat the team of their former manager Brendan Rodgers.

Liverpool, the holders, were outplayed in the first half and deservedly trailed at the break thanks to Chico Flores's powerful header.

Rodgers responded by throwing on Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling as second-half substitutes but it was Swansea who struck again as Nathan Dyer made it 2-0 with 20 minutes remaining.

Suarez glanced in Gerrard's free-kick four minutes later to cut the deficit but in injury time Swansea added a third through Jonathan De Guzman to record a famous victory.

Capital One Cup quarter-final draw

  • Bradford v Arsenal
  • Leeds United v Chelsea
  • Norwich City v Aston Villa
  • Swansea v Middlesbrough

This was a humbling defeat for Rodgers, not only because of the result but also the manner of it. Swansea's attacking play was rapier sharp, inspired by Leon Britton's midfield play, Dyer's prodigious work on the wings and some stellar flicks and touches from Michu.

The visitors, who will play Middlesbrough in the next round, had a superior workrate and greater ambition all through their team and Liverpool, for all their possession, were second best throughout.

Five months after leaving Swansea, Rodgers must have hoped the reunion would go rather differently.

On a bracing night the welcome from the visiting fans was warm enough for him and his midfield playmaker Joe Allen, who also swapped the Liberty Stadium for Anfield in the summer and was one of two Reds players to retain their place from the 2-2 draw against Everton last weekend.

But on the pitch the reception was rather less friendly as Swansea gave Liverpool a footballing lesson for the opening 45 minutes. The visitors zipped the ball around with disarming ease and their wingers drew defenders away as midfielders expertly plotted angled passes.

Cup victory delights Laudrup

This was the kind of invention and creativity Rodgers had yearned to see his players produce at Anfield all season, but he had not banked on it being unleashed by the group of players he left behind in Swansea last summer.

A single goal was the least they deserved from a first half they dictated and it came shortly after the half hour mark as Flores rose unmarked to head in De Guzman's right-wing corner.

Jamie Carragher prevented another by throwing himself into the path of Pablo Hernandez's goal-bound shot, which came after a lightning exchange with Michu, while De Guzman might have done better when put through on goal by another clever Michu flick.

Liverpool were in trouble and although much has changed at Anfield over the years the man they send for when a cause looks lost most certainly has not. Gerrard's introduction at half-time lifted the tempo and the spirits at Anfield, as did the introduction of Suarez.

Reds captain Gerrard struck the post with a trademark long-range drive that dipped and swerved before thudding against Swansea goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel's right-hand post. The rebound fell to Stewart Downing, but he shot woefully wide from six yards.

Swansea joy

  • Swansea have scored three goals in seven of their last 10 League cup matches
  • The Swans' last cup game at Anfield was an FA Cup third round tie in January 1990 which they lost 8-0

Swansea continued to threaten with their incisive counter attacks and Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Jones denied Pablo Hernandez and then Michu with successive blocks.

When the visitors poured forward again Jones tipped Hernandez's shot over before Williams headed the resultant corner wide.

And, as Liverpool pushed forward in search of the equaliser, Swansea twisted the knife.

Michu freed Hernandez down the left and the Spaniard crossed to Dyer, who crashed in from six yards. The home fans were stunned into silence with the strains of "Brendan, what's the score?" audible from the away end.

Suarez reduced the deficit within four minutes, glancing in Gerrard's free kick, but Liverpool's hopes of getting back on terms were soon dealt a fatal blow.

Swansea substitute Wayne Routledge found Michu with a clever ball over the top and his pass was turned in by De Guzman from three yards.

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (5)

Liverpool

  • 01 Jones
  • 16 Coates
  • 23 Carragher Booked
  • 49 Robinson
  • 10 Cole (Gerrard - 46' )
  • 14 Henderson
  • 19 Downing
  • 24 Allen
  • 33 Shelvey
  • 11 Assaidi (Sterling - 65' )
  • 36 Yesil (Suarez - 46' )

Substitutes

  • 52 Ward
  • 37 Skrtel
  • 47 Wisdom
  • 08 Gerrard
  • 31 Sterling
  • 07 Suarez
  • 30 Suso

Swansea City

  • 25 Tremmel
  • 04 Chico (Monk - 58' )
  • 06 Williams
  • 21 Tiendalli
  • 07 Britton
  • 09 Michu
  • 11 Pablo (Routledge - 75' )
  • 12 Dyer
  • 20 De Guzman
  • 24 Ki Sung-Yeung
  • 29 Richards

Substitutes

  • 13 Cornell
  • 16 Monk
  • 33 Davies
  • 15 Routledge
  • 26 Agustien
  • 10 Graham
  • 17 Shechter
Ref: Probert
Att: 37,521

Match Stats

Shots

18 16

On target

10 10

Corners

2 4

Fouls

7 6

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +5:30 Full time

Full Time The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.

90:00 +3:57

Miguel Michu provided the assist for the goal.

90:00 +3:57 Goal scored

Goal - Jonathan de Guzman - Liverpool 1 - 3 Swansea Jonathan de Guzman scores a goal from close range low into the middle of the goal. Liverpool 1-3 Swansea.

90:00 +3:25

Luis Suarez takes a shot. Save by Gerhard Tremmel.

90:00 +1:41

Luis Suarez has an effort at goal from just outside the area which goes wide of the left-hand post.

90:00 +0:43

Stewart Downing crosses the ball, Garry Monk manages to make a clearance.

87:58

The ball is sent over by Steven Gerrard, save made by Gerhard Tremmel.

85:19

Raheem Sterling has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand post.

85:02

The ball is sent over by Stewart Downing, Ashley Williams manages to make a clearance.

84:44

Luis Suarez takes a shot. Gerhard Tremmel makes a save.

83:29

Raheem Sterling takes a shot. Blocked by Garry Monk.

82:41

Unfair challenge on Sung-Yeung Ki by Jonjo Shelvey results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Garry Monk.

82:41

Unfair challenge on Sung-Yeung Ki by Jonjo Shelvey results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Garry Monk.

81:30

The ball is swung over by Luis Suarez, clearance made by Dwight Tiendalli.

80:47

Jordan Henderson produces a cross, Gerhard Tremmel makes a save.

79:57

Stewart Downing takes a shot. Save made by Gerhard Tremmel.

79:04

Ashley Williams concedes a free kick for a foul on Luis Suarez. Joe Allen restarts play with the free kick.

78:27

Miguel Michu takes a shot. Save made by Brad Jones.

77:54

Miguel Michu is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Joe Allen.

77:14

Centre by Stewart Downing.

75:59

The assist for the goal came from Steven Gerrard.

75:59 Goal scored

Goal - Luis Suarez - Liverpool 1 - 2 Swansea Luis Suarez finds the net with a headed goal from inside the penalty box. Liverpool 1-2 Swansea.

75:41

Ashley Richards challenges Raheem Sterling unfairly and gives away a free kick. Centre by Steven Gerrard,

74:44 Substitution

Substitution Wayne Routledge comes on in place of Pablo Hernandez.

73:25

Unfair challenge on Nathan Dyer by Joe Allen results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Jonathan de Guzman.

72:55

The ball is crossed by Jack Robinson, save made by Gerhard Tremmel.

71:40

Assist on the goal came from Pablo Hernandez.

71:40 Goal scored

Goal - Nathan Dyer - Liverpool 0 - 2 Swansea Nathan Dyer gets on the score sheet with a goal from close range low into the middle of the goal. Liverpool 0-2 Swansea.

70:39

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ashley Williams on Luis Suarez. Free kick crossed by Steven Gerrard, Ashley Richards makes a clearance.

68:14

Outswinging corner taken by Jonathan de Guzman, Ashley Williams has a headed effort at goal from close in which goes wide left of the target.

68:01

Miguel Michu takes a shot. Save made by Brad Jones.

67:17

Effort from outside the penalty box by Leon Britton goes wide left of the goal.

67:05

Jonathan de Guzman produces a cross, Brad Jones makes a save.

66:33

Jonathan de Guzman takes a outswinging corner to the near post, clearance made by Steven Gerrard.

66:23

Miguel Michu takes a shot. Blocked by Jamie Carragher.

66:04

Pablo Hernandez takes a shot. Save by Brad Jones.

65:14

Jordan Henderson produces a cross, save by Gerhard Tremmel.

65:08

Centre by Steven Gerrard, Ashley Williams manages to make a clearance.

64:09 Substitution

Substitution Raheem Sterling comes on in place of Oussama Assaidi.

63:55

Stewart Downing produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

63:39

Steven Gerrard takes a shot. Save made by Gerhard Tremmel.

61:44

The ball is delivered by Oussama Assaidi.

58:32

The ball is crossed by Steven Gerrard, Ashley Williams manages to make a clearance.

57:32 Substitution

Substitution Garry Monk comes on in place of Chico.

56:03

Luis Suarez takes a shot from just outside the penalty area which clears the crossbar.

54:28

Oussama Assaidi crosses the ball, clearance by Dwight Tiendalli.

51:46

Unfair challenge on Luis Suarez by Chico results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Jonjo Shelvey.

50:26

The referee blows for offside against Miguel Michu. Brad Jones takes the free kick.

49:17

Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Luis Suarez goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

47:52

Jack Robinson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Nathan Dyer. Chico takes the direct free kick.

46:27

Shot on goal by Jonjo Shelvey from inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.

45:01

The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Samed Yesil goes off and Luis Suarez comes on.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution (Liverpool) makes a substitution, with Steven Gerrard coming on for Joe Cole.

45:00 +1:41 Half time

Half Time It is the end of the first-half.

45:00 +1:05

Direct free kick taken by Leon Britton.

45:00 +1:05 Booking

Booking Jamie Carragher goes into the referee's book for unsporting behaviour.

45:00 +1:00

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jamie Carragher on Miguel Michu.

44:26

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nathan Dyer by Jack Robinson. Free kick taken by Leon Britton.

43:39

Stewart Downing produces a cross, Ashley Williams manages to make a clearance.

42:08

Pablo Hernandez has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box missing to the wide right of the goal.

40:50

Effort from the edge of the box by Stewart Downing goes wide of the left-hand post.

39:20

Samed Yesil takes a shot. Blocked by Ashley Williams.

38:44

Free kick awarded for a foul by Chico on Samed Yesil. Jack Robinson restarts play with the free kick.

38:34

The ball is crossed by Pablo Hernandez, clearance made by Jamie Carragher.

36:04

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jonjo Shelvey on Sung-Yeung Ki. Direct free kick taken by Chico.

34:38

Joe Cole takes a shot. Save by Gerhard Tremmel.

33:39

Jonathan de Guzman provided the assist for the goal.

33:39 Goal scored

Goal - Chico - Liverpool 0 - 1 Swansea Chico finds the back of the net with a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Liverpool 0-1 Swansea.

33:18

Jonathan de Guzman takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post,

33:05

Sung-Yeung Ki takes a shot. Save by Brad Jones.

32:23

Sung-Yeung Ki takes a shot. Blocked by Sebastian Coates.

31:46

The ball is crossed by Stewart Downing.

30:43

Joe Allen takes a shot. Blocked by Sung-Yeung Ki.

30:31

The ball is sent over by Oussama Assaidi, clearance by Ashley Williams.

29:55

Shot from deep inside the area by Jonathan de Guzman goes over the bar.

28:33

A cross is delivered by Stewart Downing, clearance made by Ashley Williams.

28:24

Corner taken short by Stewart Downing.

27:59

Stewart Downing takes a shot. Save by Gerhard Tremmel.

26:54

Outswinging corner taken by Jonathan de Guzman from the right by-line.

24:59

Pablo Hernandez takes a shot. Blocked by Jamie Carragher.

21:11

Foul by Jonathan de Guzman on Stewart Downing, free kick awarded. Jordan Henderson restarts play with the free kick.

19:11

Jamie Carragher gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Nathan Dyer. Direct free kick taken by Chico.

18:23

Shot from long distance by Sung-Yeung Ki misses to the right of the target.

16:04

Stewart Downing has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide right of the goal.

14:27

Oussama Assaidi delivers the ball, clearance by Ashley Williams.

13:11

Pablo Hernandez takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the bar.

11:34

The ball is sent over by Jonathan de Guzman, save made by Brad Jones.

11:01

Jordan Henderson delivers the ball, Ashley Williams manages to make a clearance.

9:43

The referee blows for offside. Sung-Yeung Ki takes the indirect free kick.

9:10

Corner from left by-line taken by Stewart Downing.

6:10

The assistant referee flags for offside against Miguel Michu. Jack Robinson takes the indirect free kick.

5:58

A cross is delivered by Jack Robinson.

3:51

The ball is delivered by Stewart Downing.

0:00

The referee gets the game started.

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