Dominik Szoboszlai scored a stunning long-range goal as Liverpool beat Leicester City 3-1 to go through to the fourth round.
There is no doubt that Liverpool have a love affair with the EFL Cup, formerly known as the Football League Cup. The Reds have won the competition a record nine times – more than any other side in history.
Liverpool drew Championship side Leicester City in the third round of the tournament. The Foxes were relegated at the end of last season, ending their nine-year stay in the top flight.
Jurgen Klopp named a rotated lineup for Wednesday night’s game, as Caoimhin Kelleher started in between the sticks for the Reds, with Curtis Jones at right-back.
Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenberch and Harvey Elliott started in midfield for the Reds, with Ben Doak back up front on the right hand side in attack.
Mohamed Salah was rested for the game and wasn’t included in the match-day squad. Probably for the best, as Hamza Choudhury started for Leicester City.
It didn’t take long for Kasey McAteer to put the visitor’s ahead at Anfield, as the English forward finished a well-worked Foxes counter attack at the Kop end.
McAteer posted on X after the match, saying: “Scoring in front of the Kop end at Anfield is something you dream of as a kid. Unbelievable feeling to make that turn into a reality.”
Liverpool found themselves in the familiar position of being a goal down, needing the second 45 minutes to rescue a game of football.
The Reds weren’t short of opportunities in the first half, however, with the visitor’s making numerous goal-line clearances to keep Liverpool out.
It took just two and a half minutes in the second half for Liverpool to find their leveller. Gravenberch provided Cody Gakpo, whose tricky turn and shot found the bottom corner from twelve yards.
Twenty minutes from a penalty shootout and substitute Dominik Szoboszlai hit a rocket of a strike, reminiscent of old Steven Gerrard goals, to put his side ahead at Anfield. Diogo Jota wrapped up the game in the closing stages sending Liverpool through to the fourth round.
It’s now four consecutive 3-1 victories for Liverpool, who remain unbeaten in all competitions this season, one of just two Premier League sides with that feat (the other being Arsenal).
A fourth round tie against Bournemouth is scheduled for 1 November at 7.45pm for Liverpool as they look to win back the trophy for the tenth time in their history.
The next challenge for Klopp’s team is playing Tottenham Hotspur away. Ange Postecoglou’s side are still unbeaten in the Premier League, after drawing 2-2 at Arsenal in the north London derby last weekend. Kick-off is on Saturday, 30 September at 5.30pm.
Liverpool team: Kelleher, Jones (Bajcetic 79), Konate, Quansah, Tsimikas (Chambers 90+1), Elliott, Endo, Gravenberch (Nunez 65), Doak (Szoboszlai 65), Gakpo, Jota.
Leicester City team: Stolarczyk, Pereira, Souttar, Coady, Justin, Akgun (Dewsbury-Hall 65), Choudhury, Casadei (Ndidi 57), Albrighton (Fatawu 64), Iheanacho (Daka 64), McAteer.
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