Daniel Sturridge served a reminder of his worth to Liverpool
manager Jurgen Klopp with both goals in a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in
England's League Cup on Tuesday.
Sturridge has started three of Liverpool's last four Premier
League games on the bench, but he seized his chance at Anfield to send last
season's beaten finalists into the quarter-finals.
Arsenal also progressed, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scoring twice in
a 2-0 win over Reading, while Hull City won 2-1 at second-tier Bristol City.
"Overall summary, it was a deserved win," Liverpool
manager Klopp told Sky Sports.
"Big number of chances and a wonderful goalkeeper from
Tottenham (Michel Vorm). All good. I think it was entertaining.
"He (Sturridge) did what he has to do and it was brilliant.
He could have scored three or maybe four, but it was really good. That's his
big strength and he showed it again."
Klopp and Spurs counterpart Mauricio Pochettino between them made
21 changes to their starting line-ups, with visiting midfielder Eric Dier the
only player to keep his place from the weekend fixtures.
Klopp gave a debut to 18-year-old right-back Trent
Alexander-Arnold and a full debut to midfielder Ovie Ejaria, 19, while
18-year-old Cameron Carter-Vickers started at centre-back for Tottenham.
Liverpool, who lost on penalties to Manchester City in last
season's final, took a ninth-minute lead when Marko Grujic's deflected cross
from the right was stabbed in by Sturridge.
Spurs stand-in goalkeeper Vorm repelled long-range efforts from
Sturridge and Divock Origi before Georginio Wijnaldum freed the England striker
to score his second goal in the 64th minute.
Dutch striker Vincent Janssen reduced the arrears with a
76th-minute penalty after Lucas Leiva took an unnecessary nibble at Tottenham
substitute Erik Lamela.
Newcastle cruise
But it was the home side who came closest to scoring again, with
Vorm saving spectacularly from Sturridge and substitute Danny Ings.
"I'm pleased with the performance, but not the result. We
fought until the end and created chances," said Spurs manager Pochettino.
Liverpool's Estonian defender Ragnar Klavan (L) clashes with Tottenham Hotspur's Dutch striker Vincent Janssen during the English Football Leagu Cup fourth round match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur on October 25, 2016 (AFP)
"It was a great experience and we can take a lot of
positives."
Arsenal joined Klopp's men in the last eight after seeing off
second-tier Reading, who are managed by former Manchester United defender Jaap
Stam.
Oxlade-Chamberlain struck twice for Arsene Wenger's much-changed
team, drilling home in the 33rd minute and netting again with the aid of a
deflection with 12 minutes to play.
Headers from centre-backs Harry Maguire and Michael Dawson took
Hull through at the expense of Bristol City, who replied through Lee Tomlin's
50-yard solo goal in stoppage time.
Aleksandar Mitrovic and Mohamed Diame each scored twice as
Championship leaders Newcastle United routed 10-man Preston North End 6-0 at St
James' Park.
Leeds United twice came from behind and survived playing extra
time with 10 men, after making all their substitutions and losing a player to
injury, to edge Norwich City 3-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw.
The tie of the round takes place on Wednesday, when Jose Mourinho
and Pep Guardiola resume hostilities as Manchester United tackle Manchester
City at Old Trafford.
Chelsea visit London rivals West Ham United and Southampton host
the Premier League's bottom club, Sunderland.
Sturridge puts Liverpool through in League Cup
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