Daniel Sturridge scored twice as Liverpool advanced to the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup __with a 2-1 win over Tottenham at Anfield.
Vincent Janssen scored Tottenham's goal from the penalty spot, but Liverpool held on to edge a game in which both Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino made wholesale changes.
From Sturridge's goalscoring performance to Liverpool's impressive youngsters, here are five talking points…
Sturridge takes his chance
The last couple of weeks have been tough for Daniel Sturridge. A poor performance in Liverpool's goalless draw __with Manchester United raised questions of his suitability to Klopp's side, and he was an unused substitute for Saturday's 2-1 win over West Brom.
But while there are doubts over his industry and work-rate, Sturridge provided a reminder of what he does bring to the table against Spurs. He was a constant menace in and around their penalty box. He showed his predatory instincts to poke home the first goal, and he finished coolly from Georginio Wijnaldum's through ball for his second.
The only complaint was that he couldn't add to his tally, but all in all it was an impressive night's work for the striker. Jurgen Klopp described his performance as "brilliant", adding: "He could have scored three or four but he was really good. That's his big strength and he showed it again."
Janssen improving?
Vincent Janssen did not enjoy the same kind of service as his opposite number, but he certainly worked tirelessly to make things happen. The Dutchman headed a Kieran Trippier cross wide and tested Simon Mignolet with a fierce diagonal shot in the first half, and he confidently dispatched his penalty after Lucas Leiva's foul on Erik Lamela in the second half.
The Dutch striker has made a slow start to life in England and is yet to find the net in the Premier League, but there was evidence of impressive hold-up play, too. On one occasion in the second half he held off his marker, swivelled in the box and picked a pass for the unmarked Trippier to shoot narrowly over. Spurs will hope there's more to come.
Liverpool youngsters impress
Right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was the pick of Liverpool's young starters. The 18-year-old has been described as a future star by Steven Gerrard, and his combative debut at Anfield drew further praise from Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness.
"He's extremely athletic, quick and aggressive," said the former Liverpool captain. "He's in great shape, he's light on his feet and he's aggressive. I think he was very good, he had a super game. He has all the attributes to be a top player."
Souness was also impressed by Kevin Stewart's performance, while Jamie Redknapp singled out Stewart's midfield partner Ovie Ejaria. "I thought he did ever so well," he said. "He really grew into the game and he grabbed it by the scrap of the neck in the second half. He's a good passer of the ball. I was excited by him. He's strong and he holds people off."
Anfield return for Ings
Danny Ings' second half introduction was greeted with warm applause around Anfield. The 24-year-old has only recently returned from a knee ligament injury he suffered in the early part of his first season at Liverpool, and this was his first appearance on home turf in over a year.
He would have marked the occasion with a goal had he not shot too close to Michel Vorm in the closing stages, but he laid on two scoring chances for his team-mates and there were some promising touches. The former Burnley forward had become something of a forgotten man at Anfield, but his return to fitness gives Klopp another exciting option in attack.
Winks the pick of Tottenham's youngsters
Like Klopp, Pochettino fielded a youthful starting line-up. It was a difficult night for summer signing Georges-Kevin N'Koudou, who slipped in the lead-up to Sturridge's opening goal, while fellow winger Josh Onomah also struggled to make an impact, but Harry Winks showed flashes of his quality in central midfield.
Pochettino has described the 20-year-old as a "very important player for the future", and he certainly handled the occasion well. He stood up to the physical challenges posed by Liverpool's midfield, and he finished the game with a 91.2 per cent passing accuracy - the highest of any player to have started the game.
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