Liverpool recorded a second victory over Chelsea in ten days as they secured a place in the Carling Cup semi-finals with a 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge tonight.
Both sides had early appeals for a penalty turned down by referee Phil Dowd, with David Luiz in the thick of the action.
The Brazilian thought that he had been fouled as he ran into the Liverpool box but instead Dowd showed Luiz a yellow card for diving.
Dowd did eventually point to the spot when Alex was adjudged to have handled Jose Enrique's cross in the penalty area.
However Andy Carroll's stuttering Liverpool career continued as he saw his poor penalty saved by Blues keeper Ross Turnbull.
The England forward's miss did not prove to be costly as Maxi Rodriguez put them in front after the break.
The Argentine midfielder, a scorer in the Reds league victory over Chelsea at Anfield a fortnight ago, tapped in from close range from Craig Bellamy's low cross.
Andre Villas-Boas responded immediately by introducing Nicolas Anelka and Juan Mata, but neither they nor former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres could find the Blues a way back into the game.
Welshman Bellamy was returning to the side after opting to miss Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Man City at the weekend following the death of close friend Gary Speed.
He was again the provider as Kenny Dalglish's side doubled their advantage, with Martin Kelly heading in Bellamy's cross to secure Liverpool victory and a place in the Carling Cup semi-finals.
