Simon Grayson’s side welcomed top flight opposition back to Elland Road for the first time since their relegation from the Premier League five years ago and outplayed Rafael Benitez’s side for much of the game.
Luciano Becchio may feel hard done by after his first-half effort was disallowed for offside, however Leeds were guilty of wasting good chances and paid the ultimate price when Ngog placed the ball past Shane Higgs to send Liverpool into the fourth round.
Benitez made nine changes from the weekend with Diego Cavalieri staring in goal, Jay Spearing in midfield and Ngog upfront although Steven Gerard and Fernando Torres were on the bench.
Jermaine Beckford and Becchio – who have scored 81 goals between them for the Yorkshire club – started upfront whilst cup-tied centre-back Leigh Bromby was replaced by Lubomir Michalik.
The home side started brightly in front of a sell-out crowd and should have taken the lead when Robert Snodgrass found Michael Doyle unmarked in the six yard box only for the midfielder to put his header wide with the goal at his mercy.
Becchio looked like he had scored a minute later when he prodded in Michalik’s downward header from a corner, however the goal was ruled out for offside although replays appeared to show the Italian was level with the last defender.
Benitez’s team looked disjointed in their approach play, but Babel caused panic in the Leeds defence when he set off on a mazy run. The Dutchman flew past three challenges but his shot was weak and Higgs collected easily.
Snodgrass was at the heart of every Leeds attack as he terrorised Andrea Dossena on the right and almost found Becchio after a neat one-two with Beckford, however Jamie Carragher was on hand to intercept the Scotsman’s cross at the back post.
Albert Riera almost put Liverpool ahead with a header from Fabio Aurelio’s free-kick but was brilliantly denied by Higgs’ reaction save which kept the score goalless as the half-time whistle blew.
Snodgrass almost opened up the Liverpool defence on his own immediately after the break when he slipped between Aurelio and Dossena, however his cross was behind Beckford and Carragher cleared.
Liverpool were next to threaten when Riera teed up Spearing on the edge of the Leeds box, but the young midfielder couldn’t keep his shot down and it flew high over Higgs’ bar.
Beckford had an excellent chance to open the scoring moments later as raced onto Higgs’ goal kick, however he made poor contact under pressure from Carragher and Cavalieri was able to smother the ball and clear.
He had another opportunity when Bradley Johnson hooked a cross in from the left but Beckford’s attempted bicycle kick floated agonisingly over the bar.
And the League One side were made to pay for missing their chances when David Ngog put his team ahead. Fabio Aurelio’s corner was only cleared to Javier Mascherano who volleyed the ball back into the box where Ngog controlled brilliantly before turning swiftly and placing the ball past Higgs.
Ngog could have doubled Liverpool’s lead as Leeds chased an equaliser however he failed to make contact with Phillip Degen’s cross from the right.
Johnson tested Cavalieri with a well controlled drive from the edge of the box, but Leeds were unable to cause Liverpool any major problems.
Gerard was introduced for the final 13 minutes and tested Higgs late on with a fierce drive from a tight angle. The Leeds ‘keeper made a smart save to keep the score at 1-0 as the final whistle blew.
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