Liverpool 2-0 Leeds United: The verdict

With one unerring strike from his right boot, Ben Woodburn fired Liverpool into the semi-finals of the EFL Cup and wrote himself into the Anfield record books.

His arms out-stretched in celebration, his face a picture of pure euphoria, the teenager gazed in wonderment at the sight of the packed Kop he had sent into raptures.

This was an unforgettable moment from a truly special talent. The first thrilling chapter of a story which is jam-packed with potential.

At 17 years and 45 days, Woodburn became the youngest goal scorer in Liverpool's proud 124-year history. He smashed the previous best set by Michael Owen by 98 days.

Jurgen Klopp admitted in the build up it would be difficult to hold Woodburn back following his brief debut against Sunderland three days earlier.

Now it will be impossible. The cat is well and truly out of the bag.

Staff at the Kirkby Academy have spoken in hushed tones for years about the breathtaking ability and exceptional attitude of a boy from Cheshire who has been on the club's books since the under-sevens.

Now the Wales youth international, who only signed his first professional contract three weeks ago, has stepped up to the senior ranks and delivered. He's here to stay.
Woodburn's classy cameo was the perfect antidote following the devastating loss of Philippe Coutinho to ankle ligament damage.

And he wasn't the only Academy youngster to shine on a night when a much changed Liverpool side rode their luck before finishing with a flourish to see off Leeds United.

Ovie Ejaria and Trent Alexander-Arnold both enhanced their growing reputations before racing to embrace Woodburn at the final whistle.

Alexander-Arnold, the 18-year-old from West Derby, produced the moment of quality Liverpool were crying out for when his inviting cross from the right enabled Divock Origi to break the deadlock with 14 minutes to go.

Woodburn then sealed the triumph as an almighty struggle turned into a glorious procession.

Sadio Mane, Gini Wijnaldum and Emre Can were the only players retained following the 2-0 win over Sunderland. With Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, Adam Lallana and Daniel Sturridge all ruled out by injury Klopp gambled by resting his other first-team regulars with one eye on Sunday's Premier League trip to Bournemouth.

It was a poignant night for stand-in Reds captain Lucas Leiva as Anfield fell silent in tribute to the players from Brazilian club Chapecoense who were among the 75 killed in a plane crash in Colombia.

Klopp had got away with making 11 changes in the previous round against Tottenham – the Reds enjoying a relatively trouble free night courtesy of Sturridge's double.

But this was a very different test. This wasn't a second string Spurs, it was a hungry and combative Leeds side desperate to impress back on the big stage.

The Yorkshireman were roared on by 5,300 fans on their first visit to Anfield for 13 years. Since then they have endured a painful fall from grace involving relegation, administration, a points deduction and a stint in English football's third tier.

But under Garry Monk the revival is on and they are eyeing promotion back to the top flight. Leeds more than matched Liverpool during a scrappy opening 45 minutes as the hosts struggled to find any real fluency.

There was an early scare when Hadi Sacko burst away from Alberto Moreno but Simon Mignolet was alert to the danger and diverted it behind.

Wijnaldum found himself operating further forward on the left of a front three with Origi and Mane but Liverpool created precious little.

The Dutchman forced a rare save from Marco Silvestri after connecting with Ovie Ejaria's inviting cross.

Origi repeatedly dropped deep in order to get involved. He produced moments of real promise with that burst of power and pace which can embarrass defenders.

But too often his efforts went to waste as the young Belgian took the wrong option.

The fearless duo of Ejaria and Alexander-Arnold showed greater composure than more experienced players around them.

If only Origi had shown greater awareness, Alexander-Arnold might even have had a goal himself.

After Liverpool broke away from a Leeds corner, the youngster raced 70 yards, screaming for it in the middle, but Origi ran down a dead end.

Emre Can should have done better when he latched on to Kalvin Philipps' poor backpass. As Kyle Bartley hesitated, Can sneaked in to poke it past Silvestri but wide of the post.

The second half brought more of the same with the frustration levels growing around Anfield.

Mane's back heel teed up Origi but rather than hit it first time, he dallied and ended up getting closed down.

The Kop was howling again soon after when the erratic Moreno dragged a 30-yarder wide when he had options all around him.

This wasn't simply a plucky backs-to-the-wall effort from Leeds. They gave as good as they got.

There was a huge let off when Kevin Stewart was dispossessed by Phillips and Kemar Roofe's curler bounced back off the post.

For a spell Leeds looked the more likely to break the deadlock as Bartley nodded wide before Mignolet came to the rescue to thwart Roofe.

The introduction of Woodburn midway through the second half after Stewart departed with a head injury sparked Liverpool into life.

Three days earlier his appearance against Sunderland had been so brief he didn't have the chance to get his boots muddy but this was different. He entered a tie which was very much in the balance.

Wijnaldum struck the woodwork after being released by Mane's clever through ball.

Finally, the breakthrough arrived. Alexander-Arnold whipped in the perfect delivery and Origi got ahead of Luke Ayling at the near post to score in front of the Kop for the second time in three days.

On a night when not much went right for him it was testament to Origi's persistence.

Leeds were beaten and with nine minutes to go came the moment to warm the cockles on a bitterly cold night.

It was a slick move with Origi and Mane combining to set up Wijnaldum, who unselfishly squared. Woodburn didn't hesitate, lashing high into the roof of the net in front of the Kop.

History had been made. The gloom generated by Coutinho's setback had been lifted.

Liverpool are 15 games unbeaten, a point off the top of the Premier League and one step away from a Wembley final.

Dream on.

Source: Liverpool Echo

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