Liverpool made it to the semis of the League Cup for the record 17th time by beating a spirited Leeds United side 2-0 at Anfield. Jürgen Klopp made as many as eight changes to the team that came out victorious against Sunderland on Saturday but still managed to beat a pretty strong and in-form Leeds side to stretch their unbeaten run to 15 games in all competitions. Liverpool and Leeds share an age old rivalry and locked horns with each other after a long time and the atmosphere at Anfield was special.
Both teams looked a bit lacklustre in the first half. Liverpool were seemingly struggling without most of their key players but still controlled the game. Leeds looked pretty dangerous on the break, though. The Whites were looking sharper in the second half and Kemar Roofe came agonisingly close to his first goal in a Leeds shirt but it was the Reds who had the last laugh.
18-year-old right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold made an outrageous cross into the box and the trailing leg of Origi did the trick. Just five minutes after the opener, substitute Ben Woodburn wrote his name in Liverpool’s history books beating legendary Michael Owen to become the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer, exactly four days after becoming the club’s youngest ever debutant.
Here are the player ratings for Liverpool from the game.
Simon Mignolet: 6.5/10
Made a few decent stops. Made a few customary mistakes as well.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 7.5/10
In a game where his fellow young graduate Woodburn made the headlines, Alexander-Arnold also impressed big time. Had a few nervy moments mostly in the second half but his cross for the Liverpool opener was absolutely top-notch.
Lucas Leiva: 7/10
Struggled against the physicality of Doukara at times but his reading of the game and passing were pretty good.
Ragnar Klavan: 7.5/10
Did nothing wrong throughout the game and looked confident with his passing.
Alberto Moreno: 6/10
Not the best game from the Spaniard. Poor on the ball and his shooting was wasteful.
Kevin Stewart: 6/10
Made a high-profile mistake by losing the ball from where Roofe almost scored. Other than that, he was decent.
Emre Can: 6/10
Too much of twisting and turning and running but the end product was missing throughout.
Gini Wijnaldum: 7/10
Neat with his passing. Forced a save out of Silvestri in the first half and hit the post in the second. Set up Woodburn for a goal that made it to Liverpool’s history books.
Sadio Mane: 6.5/10
Okayish display from the speedster. Nothing special though. Played a number of solid killer balls.
Divock Origi: 7/10
Did well to somehow manage a touch to convert Arnold’s excellent cross. Worked really hard throughout the game. Also was involved in Woodburn’s goal.
Ovie Ejaria: 7.5/10
A mature performance from the dynamic midfielder. Was all over the pitch and his passing was delightful.
Substitutes
Ben Woodburn: 7.5/10
Created history by becoming Liverpool’s youngest ever goalscorer beating legendary Michael Owen. Just 17 years and 45 days, Liverpool have a special player in him.
James Milner: NA
Marko Grujic: NA
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