AFC Wimbledon 1-2 Liverpool
Steven Gerrard gave Liverpool fans a reminder of exactly why they will miss him so badly when he leaves at the end of the season by scoring twice at Kingsmeadow to send AFC Wimbledon crashing out of the FA Cup.
The former England captain announced his decision to move to the United States in the lead-up to this third-round tie and it was his brace, either side of a Bayo Akinfenwa strike, that proved the difference on the night.
Fit-again pair Akinfenwa and Sammy Moore returned to the side that enjoyed such a productive festive period while on-loan Millwall youngster Jake Goodman kept his place in defence to try and add legs to counter the pace of the men from Anfield.
Gerrard skippered a strong Liverpool XI but there was no place in thee squad for England international Raheem Sterling as Brendan Rodgers opted to give the speed merchant the night off. Mario Balotelli started the game on the substitutes bench.
Wimbledon created the game's first opportunity within moments of the kick-off as Sean Rigg found himself in acres of space in the left channel, however the former Oxford United winger dragged his shot wide of Simon Mingolet's far post.
Despite that early chance, it was a disastrous start for the hosts. Neal Ardley would have drummed into his team the importance of keeping the Reds quiet early on but on 12 minutes James Shea was picking the ball out of the Dons net as Gerrard headed in the opening goal.
Liverpool looked shaky on set-pieces and it was that man Rigg again, who looked really in the mood in front of the global television audience, who forced Mingolet to spring into action as the Belgian tipped his fine effort over the crossbar.
And when Matt Tubbs, usually ice-cool in front of goal, scuffed his left-footed shot wide, the crowd feared it was going to be one of those nights. Not so. Not in the FA Cup. This is where fairytales are written after all.
Another set-piece, some more dreadful Liverpool defending, and the Dons were back on level terms. The Beast had awoken and he came alive in the six-yard box after a goalmouth scramble had seen the ball rebound off the woodwork and drop kindly for the big striker.
Wimbledon began the second half in the same vein as the first. Barrett rose highest and his header was on target, only for captain Gerrard to come to his team's rescue with a goal-line clearance as it remained 1-1 and all to play for.
The Reds number eight was the saviour again as the clocked ticked past the hour. Barry Fuller, perhaps lucky to have escaped punishment for what appeared to be a handball offence, conceded a free-kick on the edge of the area. Up stepped Gerrard to curl it home superbly.
Coutinho, who had been largely anonymous until the final 10 minutes, suddenly started to show his twinkle toes. Shea did well to get down low and keep out the Brazilian's drive and then again to deny Gerrard his third of the evening.
He didn't have his hat-trick but the man from Merseyside took all the plaudits as Liverpool got over the line and booked their place in round four. Rodgers' side will now host Bolton Wanderers following tonight's draw in the Prsident's Bar at Kingsmeadow.
AFC Wimbledon: Shea, Fuller, Kennedy, Moore (Pell), Barrett, Goodman, Rigg (Azeez), Bulman, Akinfenwa, Tubbs, Francomb (Sutherland).
Subs (not used): McDonnell, Bennett, Harrison, Oakley.
Att: 4,784.
