Sturridge at the double in Reds romp
Substitute Daniel Sturridge scored twice as Liverpool marched into the third round of the EFL Cup with a 5-0 thrashing of Burton Albion.
The Reds delivered the perfect response to last weekend's shock league defeat to Burnley as they dominated throughout against the Championship outfit.
The only concern for Jurgen Klopp was the fact that Divock Origi limped off late on as Liverpool finished with 10 men.
Origi had opened the scoring with Roberto Firmino adding a second before half-time. Tom Naylor's own goal put the tie beyond doubt before Sturridge took centre stage.
Klopp took no chances with his starting XI. The team sheet laid bare both the importance of the competition to the Reds this season and the manager's burning desire to get back to winning ways.
Origi and Firmino had both tested Stephen Bywater prior to the breakthrough arriving on 15 minutes.
Sadio Mane, back fit after a shoulder injury, was the creator as he carried on where he had left off at the Emirates on the opening weekend of the campaign.
Mane has the turn of pace and the skill required to create something out of nothing and he did it with aplomb as he burst past Damien McCrory and squared for Origi to flick home his first goal of the season.
Midway through the first half it was 2-0. Bywater's poor throw was pounced on by Mane, who fed Nathaniel Clyne down the right flank. The full-back's delivery was pin-point and Firmino gleefully nodded past the keeper.
Liverpool were impressive but they were given a helping hand by the respect Burton gave them.
Just past the hour mark Liverpool added a third and it came from the most unlikely of routes.
Milner whipped in the corner, Can flicked on and Naylor inadvertently directed it into his own net.
There was no let up from Klopp. He sought fresh legs with Gini Wijnaldum and Sturridge on for Lallana and Firmino.
Sturridge looked like a man with a point to prove after being consigned to bench duty and he did it emphatically.
His first was a gift as he tucked away Milner's low cross at the far post.
But his second was classy as Mane picked him out and he drilled into the bottom corner to complete the rout.
Source: Liverpool Echo
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