Liverpool 2, Crewe Alexandra 1

Given an early lead by a tremendous Daniel Agger strike, they soon surrendered the initiative by needlessly conceding an equaliser to Crewe's Northern Ireland international midfield Michael O'Connor shortly afterwards.

Although Lucas Leiva ultimately ensured Liverpool 's name will be in the hat for the fourth round, it was another unconvincing display.

Benitez may have fielded a completely different starting line-up to the weekend but, as against Stoke City , his team struggled to carve decent opportunities.

Crewe currently sit in the relegation zone of Coca-Cola League One, some 62 places below their opponents in the league standings.

Simple enough, Benitez might have thought, particularly at home. But Liverpool have had trouble dispensing lower league opposition in recent times.

Havant and Waterlooville gave Benitez's side a major scare in the FA Cup in January before, in the next round, Barnsley became the only away team to win at Anfield so far this year.

Liverpool were looking to defend a 100% record against Crewe, having won all seven previous meetings during which they had scored 33 goals and conceded just three.

There were full debuts for summer signings Diego Cavalieri and Philipp Degen, while David Ngog was handed a first Anfield appearance since his arrival from Paris Saint Germain.

Degen, who had seen his debut delayed by a groin operation, was bright going forward and quick to add support to Jermaine Pennant down the right, but seemed at times to forget he was a right-back and not a winger.

A reputation of being injury prone will hardly have been allayed by being helped off 17 minutes from time with a fresh complaint.

Pennant came close to leaving Anfield on transfer deadline day and has fallen way down the pecking order on the flank.

The winger was therefore intent on making the most of his rare opportunity. But, as has so often been the case for Pennant during his Liverpool career, he too often flattered to deceive despite a clever assist for Lucas's winner.

The Brazilian's goal, though, couldn't disguise what was another worryingly low-key performance in central midfield in the type of game Benitez would expect him to effortlessly impose himself.

There was a rare chink of light for the Spaniard. Having been absent for the best part of a season with his niggling metatarsal injury, Agger has seen his first-team opportunities limited.

The Dane, though, retains the backing of Benitez and was quietly assured on only his second start of the season.

Agger certainly didn't waste any time in making his mark, opening the scoring on the quarter-hour by thrashing in a rising free-kick from 20 yards beyond Crewe goalkeeper Steve Collis after Ngog had been fouled.

It was just reward for a bright start from Liverpool 's second string, with Pennant and El Zhar adding the kind of width Benitez could have done with earlier in the campaign.

But once ahead, Liverpool inexplicably stopped playing. And that allowed Crewe to draw level on 25 minutes, the home side conceding yet another goal from a set-piece.

A corner from the left by Billy Jones was flicked on by former Tranmere striker Calvin Zola before being forced over by O'Connor. The Northern Ireland 's wild celebrations were tinged with relief - it was his foul that gave Liverpool the chance to score their opener.

Anfield awaited an expected onslaught that never transpired. Agger fired over from range, but it was only towards the end of the half that Liverpool built up any concerted pressure.

Sami Hyypia didn't connect properly with a header from Pennant's corner, Emiliano Insua's mishit cross had to be palmed over by Collis while another Pennant delivery led to mayhem in the Crewe penalty area, Hyppia's shot saved and Ngog's follow-up blocked before Damien Plessis slashed wildly wide.

Liverpool carried on in the same vein after the restart. Ryan Babel hit a shot that was deflected on to the roof of the net and then struck a near post drive that was fielded by Collis, while El Zhar dragged an effort wide from range.

The lead was restored on 58 minutes. Babel went on a twisting run from left to right before feeding Pennant on the right, who did well to dig out a cross that the arriving Lucas met with a header that looped over Collis.

Torres twice solicited fine saves from the Crewe goalkeeper after his introduction, the first a header from a Pennant cross before being denied after put clean through.

Crewe almost snatched an equaliser with three minutes remaining when Byron Moore crossed dangerously low from the right and the unmarked Tom Pope somehow slid the ball wide rather than into the goal.

Liverpool , though, held on. That they had to will be the question Benitez must find the answer to - and quickly.

MAN OF THE MATCH. Daniel Agger. An excellent goal to go with a solid performance in defence