Ben Woodburn became Liverpool’s youngest ever goalscorer as he helped the Reds defeat Leeds United 2-0 in their League Cup quarter-final.
Liverpool 2-0 Leeds United
League Cup Quarter-Final, Anfield
November 29, 2016
Goals
Origi 76′ (assist – Alexander-Arnold)
Woodburn 82′ (assist – Wijnaldum)
After preserving their excellent form with a 2-0 win over Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, Liverpool turned their attention back to the League Cup.
Welcoming Leeds to Anfield for their quarter-final clash, the Reds took on an in-form Championship outfit, with Garry Monk’s side sitting fifth in the English second tier after 18 games.
Jurgen Klopp made eight changes to his starting lineup on the night, including youngster Ovie Ejaria, who came into midfield alongside Emre Can and Kevin Stewart.
Liverpool still had plenty of quality in their ranks despite injury to Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge, with Klopp’s young stars making the difference at Anfield.
- Alexander-Arnold and Ejaria make second starts for the Reds
- Woodburn brought on for League Cup debut
- Liverpool struggle to break down Leeds‘ well-drilled defence
- Alexander-Arnold lays on Origi’s opener with great cross
- Woodburn becomes Liverpool’s youngest ever goalscorer
In a bright atmosphere at Anfield, it was Leeds who had the first chance on goal, with Hadi Sacko thwarted by the sprawling Simon Mignolet following some slack defensive work from Alberto Moreno.
Georginio Wijnaldum, playing on the left of Klopp’s 4-3-3 for the night, almost hooked the ball into the top corner after an exquisite pass from Ejaria, but saw his effort saved.
Liverpool’s attackers struggled to create chances in the first half, with one of their most promising openings coming from a mistake from Kyle Bartley, with Can charging the ball just wide.
Leeds enjoyed some opportunities in the final third, too, and substitute Kalvin Phillips saw his strike deflect off Lucas Leiva and sail off target as the first half drew to a close.
As Andre Marriner blew for the interval, Klopp will likely have been disappointed not to see his side head into the changing room in the lead.
Monk was forced into his second substitute of the clash at half-time, bringing on former Arsenal youth Luke Ayling, giving the 37-year-old few options to change the game later on.
One of his starters almost broke the deadlock on 53 minutes, however, with record signing Kemar Roofe hammering the post after some poor movement from Stewart at the base of the midfield.
With the Reds struggling in the attacking sector, Klopp opted to bring on 17-year-old academy forward Woodburn, with the youngster replacing Stewart for his second appearance in a Liverpool shirt.
This sparked the home side into life, with Wijnaldum hitting the post on 72 minutes, with Woodburn’s follow-up blocked in the six-yard box.
It was another youngster who made the telling impact, however, with Alexander-Arnold bending an excellent cross into the box for Origi to touch home and put Liverpool into the lead late on.
Not content with letting his academy colleague steal the limelight, however, Woodburn scored his first senior goal for Liverpool with a powerful close-range effort, sending Anfield into raptures and Liverpool into the League Cup semi-finals.
TIA Man of the Match: Trent Alexander-Arnold
Referee: Andre Marriner
Liverpool: Mignolet; Alexander-Arnold, Lucas, Klavan, Moreno; Stewart (Woodburn 66′), Ejaria (Milner 82′), Can; Mane, Wijnaldum, Origi (Grujic 90+1′)
Subs not used: Karius, Lovren, Clyne, Henderson
Leeds United: Silvestri; Berardi, Cooper (Ayling 46′), Bartley, Taylor; Sacko, Vieira, O’Kane (Phillips 28′), Dallas (Wood 62′); Doukara, Roofe
Subs not used: Green, Grimes, Mowatt, Antonsson
Next match: Bournemouth (A) – Premier League – December 4
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