LONDON - Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says he has no concerns about the form of captain Steven Gerrard after a series of ineffective displays prompted calls from fans and pundits that it is time to reconsider his role in the team.

At 34 years old, Gerrard is entering the period in most players' careers when talk turns to managing dwindling reserves of energy and protecting tired legs from the exertions of the modern game.

Yet there has been no reduction in Gerrard's workload this season with the midfielder starting and finishing all of Liverpool's matches in a patchy and inconsistent beginning to the campaign.

"I have no concerns about him, he is a brilliant player for us," Rodgers said, before hinting that his legs could be spared for the bigger games as the season wears on.

Meanwhile, Liverpool reached the English League Cup last 16 after an extraordinary third-round tie saw them beat second-tier Middlesbrough 14-13 in a penalty shootout on Tuesday, while Southampton knocked Arsenal out of the competition.

Both goalkeepers scored in a shootout at Anfield where all 22 players still on the field took spot-kicks before Middlesbrough's Albert Adomah fired wide to ensure eight-time winners Liverpool's victory.

Earlier, Southampton came from behind to win 2-1 away to top-flight rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Another all-Premier League tie saw Swansea overwhelm Everton 3-0 at the Liberty Stadium.

Sunderland, last season's beaten finalists, bowed out following a 2-1 defeat by fellow Premier League side Stoke City.

Third Division Milton Keynes Dons, who knocked English giants Manchester United out in the last round, continued their League Cup progress as Benik Afobe scored twice in a 2-0 win over Bradford.