Return of Bellamy sees Liverpool avoid upset at Brighton

The 32-year-old flourished on his second full debut for the club, having rejoined the Reds from Manchester City in the summer.

Bellamy broke the deadlock in the seventh minute with a neat finish from an awkward angle and performed with aplomb throughout, including a superb 30-yard free-kick that rattled the crossbar.

Despite having overcome Sunderland in the previous round, the Seagulls never looked likely to add another Premier League scalp in the first half but improved greatly after the break.

Craig Noone’s superb curling effort hit the crossbar shortly after the restart and Ashley Barnes scored a late penalty, although Dirk Kuyt had already put the tie out of reach.

The Holland international was put free by Maxi Rodriguez with less than 10 minutes remaining and finished strongly to the delight of the 2,403 visiting Liverpool fans, who also saw talisman Steven Gerrard make his first appearance since March.

Gerrard came on as a substitute for the last 15 minutes after spending six months on the sidelines with a groin injury.

Owen Hargreaves scored on his Manchester City debut to help dump holders Birmingham out of the Carling Cup in a convincing 2-0 win.

Hargreaves’s impressive strike put City ahead in the 17th minute before Mario Balotelli doubled the lead before half-time with a precise low strike.

Birmingham – who suffered relegation from the top-flight on the last day of the season less than two months after their unexpected Wembley triumph over Arsenal, had no answers to the multi-million pound strike-force.

Championship leaders Southampton beat League One side Preston 2-1 thanks to goals by Jos Hooiveld and Adam Lallana.

Hooiveld put the Saints in front with a header from close range before Adam Barton equalised for Preston in the 52nd minute.

Substitute Lallana sealed the win in the 66th minute with a stooped header.