A Liverpool side typically weakened for Carling Cup duty did just about enough to pass a good test from League One high-flyers Leeds.

David Ngog’s sharp finish, turning and shooting when a Javier Mascherano fell at his feet, divided the sides. But the hosts had their share of chances and had a goal chalked off after a debatable offside decision early in the game.

And if the much-vaunted striker Jermaine Beckford at been at his very best, the game could have gone into extra-time, or been worse still for Rafa Benitez’s men.

Michael Doyle wasted a good headed opportunity on 11 minutes for the hosts. And two minutes later, Lubomir Michalik’s header found the net, only for Beckford to be harshly judged to be ahead of the final defender.

Liverpool’s best and perhaps only clear-cut chance of the first half fell to Albert Riera a minute before half-time. And his close-range header brought an instinctive save from Leeds keeper Shane Higgs.

Beckford had two opportunities shortly after the break which he may well have snaffled in a League One encounter.

However, he mishit his shot after latching onto a long ball in the 54^th minute, allowing Liverpool second-choice keeper Diego Cavalieri to make a routine save.

And although he did well ten minutes later after Bradley Johnson dragged his cross behind him, Beckford’s shot on the turn cleared the crossbar by a matter of inches.

Ngog’s decisive strike followed two minutes later. And manager Rafa Benitez brought Glen Johnson and Steven Gerrard from the Reds’ bench in a successful effort to close out the game, Gerrard having a predictably galvanising influence against a tiring Leeds’ side late on.

Benitez hailed “a fantastic win for us,” citing his team’s “quality of character.” While Leeds boss Simon Grayson said: “I’m loathe to criticise, but the goal should have stood.”