Klopp claims first win as Liverpool move forward in cup with help of youngsters. Liverpool 1 Bournemouth 0

Capital One 4^th Round

Liverpool 1(Clyne 17mins) Bournemouth 0

Blog by dedlfc (David Douglas)

Pre-match thoughts:

We make nine changes to our line-up with one eye on the big game versus Chelsea at the weekend.  The most exciting decision is to start Teixeira alongside Firmino.with Brannagan in midfield and rookie full back Randall also making their home debuts.

We nearly get off to a flying start with Firmino producing a shot within the first 20 seconds.

Bournemouth then start to look more promising despite Firmino blistering attempt.

First Origi loses the ball up front and then Allen has his pocket picked which leads to a great chance for Bournemouth. Thankfully, Bogdan was up to the challenge and produces an excellent block with his feet.

Klopp had moved Clyne over to the left back slot to enable Randall to play in his chosen position of right back and it paid dividends massively with Clyne then opening up his Liverpool goal scoring account with a well-taken goal after some brilliant build-up play. 

Origi broke at pace, played it to Firmino, who played Teixeira through. Teixeira nearly scores on the cheekiest of backheels, only to be cleared off the line before Clyne put it away for good. 

The attack was, dare I say in the words of our manager Jurgen Klopp "cool." 1-0 to the Liverpool!

Our injury crisis then strikes again when Kolo Toure limps off after half an hour with an apparent hamstring injury. Defender Martin Skrtel comes on as his replacement.

Halftime: Liverpool showed a few brilliant flashes on one end, and a bit of luck not to concede on the other. Both sides have 6 shots, 4 on target. Liverpool probably need to score 1 or 2 more to ensure victory (especially with Lovren roaming the pitch), as shocking as that concept might seem on paper. 

The match dragged at times, but it is fun to watch the youth players press like crazy. And that man, Teixeira, soooo close to nabbing his first Liverpool goal, both with the backheel and later with a shot into the side netting just before the half had concluded.

The second half advances with Firmino having with another narrow miss which he should have scored to finish the game once and for all. If Liverpool doesn’t advance tonight, he'll certainly have a few regrets, with four good shots on goal.

Lucas on for Brannagan with about 20 mins left. Brannagan can be proud of his performance tonight. Hopefully Klopp’s lieutenant on the pitch Lucas can help see this game out.

If the sides were evenly matched in the first half, Liverpool have had the best of it in the second without getting that all important second goal.

Lallana is the final substitute, on for Roberto Firmino. Firmino was a giant among men today, but just couldn't manage to grab his first goal.

Bournemouth's last ditch effort goes wanting, and that should do it for the Reds.

Full Time: This time Liverpool score first and hold on for the nervy victory. It was a well-deserved first win for the new boss, especially with such a thin, heavily-rotated squad. 

Liverpool (4-1-4-1): Bogdan, Clyne, Toure (Skrtel 31), Lovren, Randall, Allen, Teixeira, Ibe, Firmino (Lallana 86), Brannagan (Lucas 64), Origi

Subs not used: Coutinho, Moreno, Fulton, Sinclair

Booked: Allen

Goals: Clyne 17

Manager: Jurgen Klopp 

Bournemouth (4-3-3): Federici, Francis, Smith, Distin, Daniels, MacDonald, Pugh, Ritchie, Arter (King 71), Stanisla (Rantie 82), Kermorgant (Tomlin 71)

Subs not used: Cook, Allsop, O'Kane, Cargill

Booked: MacDonald 

Manager: Eddie Howe  

Referee: Mike Jones 

Att: 41,948 

Man of the Match - Firmino started to show why he is so highly rated by knowledgeable football people. Was in the middle of all our good build up play and was a constant threat.

Today marked a return to form for Jordon Ibe, and some stand-out performances for Teixeira and Firmino. Both Teixeira and Firmino were unlucky not to open up their scoring accounts for the Reds. 

The youth players  acquitted themselves well, and the team as a whole grew into the game as it progressed.

Special mention for our keeper Adam Bogdan who again came into the side and did not put a foot wrong producing a vital save with his feet early on and a couple of equally important saves throughout the first half. He is now looking like a very astute acquisition by our former manager Brendan Rodgers.

We are now through to the quarter-finals where we have been drawn to play our most recent tricky opponents Southampton, this time at their ground for a place in the semi-finals .

With Arsenal, Man Utd and Chelsea being defeated at this stage, there is only Man City left to worry about in the draw.

Klopp may now start to fancy our chances of getting some silverware in his first season. Now wouldn’t that be a fantastic start to his managerial career at Liverpool !!

Manager’s thoughts:-

Klopp said: "My first win feels better than a draw! I'm really satisfied because this team had never played together and the young players did really well.

"We had many chances against a side which played with nearly their first team. We were dominant, played football and got the win we deserved.

"It was very important to win because we decided to go with a new team. To win is always good for the feeling of the whole team."