The real drama was saved for stoppage-time, though, with Federico Fernandez sent off for Swansea and Dejan Lovren benefitting from some sloppy defending to nod home a dramatic winner.
Dutch winger Emnes, on his first start of the season, opened the scoring on 65 minutes when he watched a looping ball over his shoulder and drilled across Brad Jones.
Brendan Rodgers then turned to the enigmatic Balotelli, and within seven minutes of his introduction he had restored parity as he met a cross from Fabio Borini with a cushioned volley.
A frantic finale was then sparked when Fernandez was given his marching orders for a crunching challenge on Philippe Coutinho and Lovren settled the tie in 95th minute as Gerhard Tremmel got caught under a high free-kick and the Croatian defender diverted the ball into an empty net.
Liverpool - without a goal in their last two game
, both of which had also been at Anfield - controlled possession in the first half, but remained unable to make it count whenever they probed.
Captain for the night Jordan Henderson hoisted an early free-kick high over the bar, before Tremmel got behind a low Lucas Leiva drive from the edge of the box.
The lively Coutinho dragged a shot wide having tried his luck from the edge of the area, and his corner was then headed well off-target by Rickie Lambert.
A further Coutinho burst saw the ball move to Henderson and on to Lazar Markovic, who skewed horribly into the stand.
Borini, the forward once at Swansea on loan, got involved as Liverpool looked to step things up, turning nicely away from his marker and curling just wide. Soon after, he seized the ball as the visitors lost possession, drove forward and forced Tremmel into a decent save.
Pressure
Another man playing against his old team, Jonjo Shelvey, then came to the fore as the Swans suddenly applied some pressure with the half nearing its end.
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