Pennant serves Rafa reminder
Jermaine Pennant was a constant menace on the right flank, while Lucas and Daniel Agger produced assured performances to give the Spaniard a selection poser for the game against Everton.
Agger gave Liverpool a 15th-minute lead from a free-kick, before Michael O’Connor’s equaliser 10 minutes later.
Pennant supplied Liverpool’s second goal with a dangerous cross which was headed home by Lucas in the 58th minute, but really the margin of the victory should have been greater.
While strengthening the Reds first team for a Barclays Premier League title challenge has been Benitez’s priority he is attempting to build a squad to challenge on several fronts.
The manager included only one English player — Pennant — in his starting line-up as he handed debuts to Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri and Swiss defender Philipp Degen.
Sami Hyypia, named as captain, and Agger were recalled in central defence while there were places for Lucas, Emiliano Insua and Damien Plessis while Nabil El Zhar, Ryan Babel and David Ngog carried the attacking threat.
Early pressure from the home side eventually paid off three minutes later when Denmark defender Agger smashed a powerful low free-kick past goalkeeper Steve Collis.
But Crewe equalised in the 25th minute when O’Connor made amends for his earlier foul when he slammed home a rebound from close range.
Liverpool restored their lead in the 58th minute through Brazil midfielder Lucas, who timed his run superbly to direct a header past Collis.
Benitez surprisingly introduced Fernando Torres, who twice tested Collis in the final quarter
Liverpool were given a few late scares as Crewe pressed for an equaliser but held on to secure their place in the next round.
LIVERPOOL: Cavalieri, Degen (Carragher 73), Hyypia, Insua, Agger, Plessis, Lucas, Pennant, Babel, El Zhar (R Keane, 87), N'Gog (F Torres, 66).
CREWE: Collis, Woodards, Baudet, O’Donnell, Jones, Moore, Bailey, O’Connor, Carrington (Grant 81), Zola (Miller 78), Pope (Elding 87).
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).
