Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has admitted that his side rode their luck on a couple of occasions in their 2-1 EFL Cup fourth-round win over Bournemouth.
A second-string Reds side fought both an inspired Cherries team and horrendous weather conditions at the Vitality Stadium, as Storm Ciaran brought torrential rain and raging winds to the South Coast.
Klopp's men broke the deadlock with 31 minutes gone courtesy of a Cody Gakpo strike, but Justin Kluivert was allowed to head home at the back post unopposed to draw the Cherries level in the second period.
Bournemouth were only on level terms for six minutes, though, as Darwin Nunez cut inside from the left and sent a rocket of a strike into the roof of the net over Ionut Radu to propel Liverpool into the quarter-finals.
A home clash with West Ham United - who conquered Arsenal 3-1 - will be Liverpool's reward - although Klopp was under no illusions that the outcome could have been different for his side at the Vitality.
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"It was a difficult game. Bournemouth did really well – they had their moments," liverpoolfc.com quotes the German as saying at his post-match press conference.
"In life, in football, from time to time you need luck and tonight, for sure, in one or two moments Bournemouth could have finished the situations a little bit better but it's an inch on the foot and not more. Then Darwin shows his class and put the game pretty much to bed for us. It's an unbelievable goal.
"We had much bigger chances in the whole game – like five, six, seven – but that was the goal we needed. He did it. Everybody was really working extremely hard and that's what you want. And now we drive home, long trip but we would have had to do that anyway. But with going to the next round, it feels much better.
"It's a top, top, top cup game. It's all about winning, it's all about getting through. There were good things today, I don't have to speak about the circumstances [because] you saw it yourselves. It was really difficult for both teams."
As well as Nunez's drive and Gakpo's first-half finish, Klopp also reserved special praise for Jarell Quansah, who was brought into a new-look backline alongside Joel Matip for the fourth round.
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The 20-year-old is enjoying a breakthrough year with Liverpool and was on top form defensively on Wednesday, making seven clearances, two interceptions and one tackle.
Quansah also caught the eye with his on-the-ball abilities, completing two of his three dribble attempts and registering an 89% pass accuracy, and Klopp could not speak highly enough of the youngster, hailing his ability to cope with the torrid conditions.
"That's the other thing which was obvious: that he was really good. In these circumstances, wow. So many difficult balls to judge, to estimate, where is it coming down?," Klopp added.
"He did really well. On the ball, Caoimhin [Kelleher] thought give him the ball quite a lot and let's see what he can do. He did really well there. Yes, top game, absolutely."
Liverpool now have three full days to recover before they resume their Premier League campaign away to Luton Town on Sunday afternoon.
Ben Knapton
