Teenager Ki-Jana Hoever scored his first senior Liverpool goal as the Premier League leaders beat MK Dons in the Carabao Cup, their first win in the competition for almost three years.
A howler by keeper Stuart Moore set Jurgen Klopp’s much-changed side on their way.
Moore appeared to have James Milner’s fierce strike covered but the ball bounced off his chest and squirmed into the net in front of a club record 28,521 attendance at Stadium MK.
It was Milner’s first goal in the competition since the 2010 final for Aston Villa against Manchester United.
MK Dons missed two glorious chances through Conor McGrandles and Sam Nombe, while Jordan Bowery hit the post in the second half before Hoever sealed Liverpool’s place in the fourth round.
The 17-year-old rose high to power Milner’s cross into the net.
Harvey Elliott, one of three debutants in Liverpool’s line-up, hit the bar twice.
Aged 16 years and 174 days, former Fulham midfielder Elliott made history as the youngest ever player to start a competitive match for Liverpool.
- Reaction from Wednesday’s Carabao Cup ties
Youngsters impress as Liverpool progress
As well as Elliott, Klopp gave debuts to 20-year-old keeper Caoimhin Kelleher and 19-year-old forward Rhian Brewster, Liverpool’s top scorer in pre-season.
Having been eliminated at the third round stage the previous two seasons by Chelsea and Leicester, Klopp still loaded his team with experience in the shape of Naby Keita, World Cup finalist Dejan Lovren, Milner, Adam Lallana and Joe Gomez.
It was a case of job done for the Reds as they avoided an upset despite a stirring second-half showing from MK Dons, who are 15th in England’s third tier.
As well as hitting the woodwork, Bowery was twice denied by saves from Kelleher.
Elliott gave Liverpool fans an exciting glimpse into the future with an energetic performance.
It was at this stage of the competition last season, aged 15, that Elliott announced himself in Fulham’s 3-1 win at Millwall.
Against MK Dons, he produced a delightful curling cross for Milner who headed narrowly wide before going on to open the scoring thanks to Moore’s error.
Man of the Match – James Milner (Liverpool)
Line-ups
MK Dons
Substitutes
Liverpool
Substitutes
Match Stats
Live Text
Match ends, MK Dons 0, Liverpool 2.
Full Time
Second Half ends, MK Dons 0, Liverpool 2.
Foul by Pedro Chirivella (Liverpool).
Conor McGrandles (MK Dons) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Liverpool. Sepp van den Berg replaces Ki-Jana Hoever.
Harvey Elliott (Liverpool) hits the bar with a right footed shot from the centre of the box. Assisted by Adam Lallana.
Rhian Brewster (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Russell Martin (MK Dons).
Attempt missed. Callum Brittain (MK Dons) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Sam Nombe.
Substitution
Substitution, Liverpool. Herbie Kane replaces Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Offside, MK Dons. Callum Brittain tries a through ball, but George Williams is caught offside.
Corner, MK Dons. Conceded by Dejan Lovren.
Attempt blocked. George Williams (MK Dons) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Corner, MK Dons. Conceded by James Milner.
Attempt blocked. Jordan Bowery (MK Dons) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Sam Nombe.
Offside, MK Dons. Jordan Bowery tries a through ball, but Hiram Boateng is caught offside.
Attempt saved. Jordan Bowery (MK Dons) header from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Hiram Boateng with a cross.
Corner, MK Dons. Conceded by Harvey Elliott.
Corner, MK Dons. Conceded by Dejan Lovren.
Attempt saved. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Pedro Chirivella.
Foul by Curtis Jones (Liverpool).
Conor McGrandles (MK Dons) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, MK Dons. Hiram Boateng replaces Alex Gilbey.
Attempt missed. Jordan Bowery (MK Dons) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Conor McGrandles with a cross following a corner.
Corner, MK Dons. Conceded by Caoimhin Kelleher.
Attempt saved. Jordan Bowery (MK Dons) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by George Williams.
Goal!
Goal! MK Dons 0, Liverpool 2. Ki-Jana Hoever (Liverpool) header from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by James Milner with a cross.
Corner, MK Dons. Conceded by Pedro Chirivella.
Foul by Pedro Chirivella (Liverpool).
Jordan Houghton (MK Dons) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Harvey Elliott (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
Substitution
Substitution, Liverpool. Pedro Chirivella replaces Naby Keita.
Rhian Brewster (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Joe Walsh (MK Dons).
Offside, Liverpool. Caoimhin Kelleher tries a through ball, but Rhian Brewster is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, MK Dons. Jordan Houghton replaces David Kasumu.
Jordan Bowery (MK Dons) hits the left post with a right footed shot from very close range. Assisted by Conor McGrandles.
Attempt missed. Conor McGrandles (MK Dons) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Joe Walsh with a cross.
Corner, MK Dons. Conceded by Dejan Lovren.
Offside, MK Dons. Joe Walsh tries a through ball, but Conor McGrandles is caught offside.
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