Albion went down battling on their big Carling Cup night against Liverpool.

Goals from Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt saw the Reds through 2-1 in a fabulous third round tie at The Amex.

But Ashley Barnes converted a late penalty won by debutant Vicente to set up a storming finish.

Liverpool were ahead in only the seventh minute when Luis Suarez sent Bellamy away to expertly angle a low shot across Casper Ankergren.

Suarez was the pick of a very impressive Reds outfit and angled a shot just wide after a deft Dirk Kuyt touch sent him through.

The Uruguayan also flicked a header off the outside of the post as the Albion woodwork was struck three times in the space of 12 minutes.

Bellamy thumped the underside of the bar with a terrific 35-yard free-kick and Jay Spearing saw his long-range drive kiss the outside the upright after Ankergen got fingertips to it.

Albion offered little – but they could have been level just before the break when Craig Noone's shot was parried by Pepe Reina and Matt Sparrow was only just beaten to the loose ball right in front of goal.

It was the hosts' turn to strike the North Stand woodwork straight after half-time when Noone shot against the top of the bar after picking up a stray pass from debut-making Sebastian Coates.

Albion went on to cause the Premier Leaguers plenty of nervy moments and threw on Vicente, Kazenga LuaLua and Ashley Barnes in a bid to draw level.

But Liverpool struck again on an 81st-minute counter raid as Maxi Rodriguez supplied Kuyt to roll a shot low past Ankergren and in off the far post.

Barnes replied on 89 minutes with a spot kick after Vicente won the ball and was fouled by Jamie Carragher.