AFC Wimbledon lost the battle, but earned the plaudits on Monday and leading the praise was former England captain Steven Gerrard.

The 34-year-old struck either side of a scrambled Adebayo Akinfenwa effort to break Dons hearts at Kingsmeadow as Liverpool secured a 2-1 FA Cup third round triumph.

It could have been different had Matt Tubbs, Dannie Bullman and Sean Rigg made the most of good opportunities to score.

And Gerrard, who will leave Anfield at the end of the season, greeted the win with a sense of relief.

AFC Wimbledon: Ardley so close to "jumping for joy" against Liverpool

“Doesn’t matter what league you’re in or how you’re doing, form seems to go out the window,” he said.

“Fair play to them, their manager can be very proud of them. They were honest throughout the team and gave us a real test.”

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, who insisted his men had prepared for the match as if they were preparing for a Champions League encounter, added: “Congratulations to them.

“Ask any manager and they will tell you, you come to a stadium like this and play that type of game, it is very, very difficult.

“I’ve got to give a big testament to my players and their character. You come to places like this and it is a real, real tricky cup tie against a team that is doing well in the league.

“Neal [Ardley] has done a terrific job since he has been here.”