Teenager Ki-Jana Hoever scored his first senior Liverpool goal as the Premier League leaders beat MK Dons in the Carabao Cup, their first win in the competition for almost three years.
A howler by keeper Stuart Moore set Jurgen Klopp’s much-changed side on their way.
Moore appeared to have James Milner’s fierce strike covered but the ball bounced off his chest and squirmed into the net in front of a club-record 28,521 attendance at Stadium MK.
MK Dons missed two glorious chances through Conor McGrandles and Sam Nombe, while Jordan Bowery hit the post in the second half before Hoever sealed Liverpool’s place in the fourth round.
The 17-year-old rose high to power Milner’s cross into the net.
Harvey Elliott, one of three debutants in Liverpool’s line-up, hit the bar twice.
Aged 16 years and 174 days, former Fulham midfielder Elliott made history as the youngest ever player to start a competitive match for Liverpool.
As well as Elliott, Klopp gave debuts to 20-year-old keeper Caoimhin Kelleher and 19-year-old forward Rhian Brewster, Liverpool’s top scorer in pre-season.
Having been eliminated at the third round stage the previous two seasons by Chelsea and Leicester, Klopp still loaded his team with experience in the shape of Naby Keita, World Cup finalist Dejan Lovren, Milner, Adam Lallana and Joe Gomez.
It was a case of job done for the Reds as they avoided an upset despite a stirring second-half showing from MK Dons, who are 15th in England’s third tier.
As well as hitting the woodwork, Bowery was twice denied by saves from Kelleher.
Elliott gave Liverpool fans an exciting glimpse into the future with an energetic performance.
It was at this stage of the competition last season, aged 15, that Elliott announced himself in Fulham’s 3-1 win at Millwall.
Against MK Dons, he produced a delightful curling cross for Milner who headed narrowly wide before going on to open the scoring thanks to Moore’s error.
You might also like – Brighton 1 – 3 Aston Villa #CarabaoCup
Conor Hourihane scored his third Carabao Cup goal of the season against Brighton to help send Aston Villa into the fourth round.
Republic of Ireland midfielder Hourihane produced a crisp finish to double Villa’s lead after Spanish forward Jota had opened the scoring. read more
Source – BBC
