John Aldridge came off the bench to score the winner as Liverpool beat Arsenal 2–1 at Villa Park on 23 November 1988. The League Cup third-round tie had needed a second replay after a 1–1 draw at Anfield and a goalless return at Highbury.
Liverpool began well despite John Barnes’s absence through injury. Nigel Spackman headed in Peter Beardsley’s cross, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Beardsley then shot into the side-netting after Ian Rush’s attempt was blocked.
Arsenal took the lead after 26 minutes. Michael Thomas put Paul Merson through, and Merson held off Gary Ablett before sliding the ball past Mike Hooper from an angle.
Liverpool suffered another setback when Rush collided with John Lukic while going for Ray Houghton’s cross. A hip injury forced him off before half-time, bringing Aldridge into the match.
Steve McMahon equalised just after the hour. Thomas interrupted Liverpool’s passing move, but McMahon recovered the ball and drove a shot past Lukic from the edge of the area.
Aldridge settled the tie in the 87th minute. Houghton chipped a cross into the area, and Aldridge sent a looping header over Lukic.
Liverpool had earned a fourth-round visit to West Ham United the following week.