Burton Albion 0 Liverpool 5: Liverpool saunter past Burton in EPL Cup

Coming off the of back of a humiliating away defeat in the Premier League came into the game with strong looking eleven with Joel Matip making his first class debut in England, with Emre Can, Sadio Mane, James Milner and Divock Origi returning to the starting line-up.

Burton started quickly and may have been slightly unlucky not to have been given a penalty early on after clumsy tackle by Lovren.

Stung into action and with the Mane at the head affairs drifting in centrally, the Senegalese International eased a beautifully weighted pass inside the right-back only for Origi to shoot straight into the midriff of the keeper Bywater.  Liverpool starting to get on top, looking comfortable and Firmino saw his header from Lallana’s cross well saved low down by Bywater.

With Liverpool beginning to quieten the crowd with Mane offering incision to their possession game, it was no surprise to see the ex-Southampton wide man instigate Liverpool’s opener.  Collecting the ball on the right from Milner’s cross, he stopped dead before exploded by Damian McCrory to cross low in for Origi to cleverly flick past Bywater.

The second wasn’t long in coming.  After Lallana missed a glorious headed chance close in, Nathanial Clyne raced passed past the defence before delivering a ball of pinpoint accuracy onto the head of Firmino to nod home.

Liverpool coasting with Can offering security in the holding role, sitting in between Lovren and Matip allowing Clyne and Milner to push forward and with sixty-one percent possession in the first-half.

The threat Mane poses running with the ball is evident as opposing defenders retreat with the danger of him either launching into a mazy dribble or passing on the run as he did on a few occasions in the first half.

With Liverpool in cruise control the second-half was all about not allowing Burton to get a foot hole in the game and with that in mind it was apparent we were pressing more than had been apparent in the first-half with the front three defending from the front.

That said with Liverpool beginning to relax Burton adopted a more aggressive stance taking over in the possession stakes and while not causing any immediate menace in front of goal, there were moments of unwarranted pressure near the Liverpool box.

Any unnecessary pressure was relieved when from Milner’s well delivered corner Tom Naylor inadvertently put the ball through his goal.

Klopp with game seemingly won made a couple of changes bringing off Firmino and Lallana for Sturridge and Wijnaldum respectively.  Can was soon to join them on the side lines after worryingly turning his ankle awkwardly, to be replaced by Kevin Stewart.

James Milner with Liverpool cantering decided to get in on the act in open play, wandering of his perch on the left, played a one-two with Mane took him in behind the defence into the right of the area, before playing the ball across the face of the goal for Sturridge to tap home for his first of the season.

Sturridge was not finished.  Mane this time out on the right as with Arsenal goal, sped around the defence before cutting inside to pass to Sturridge.  The striker instantly controlled and with very little back lift smashed home an unstoppable shot into the corner of the net.

Team:

Burton Albion: 13 Stephen Bywater, 15 Tom Naylor, 5 Kyle McFadzean, 14 Damien McCrory, 10 Lucas Atkins, 7 Lee Williamson, 19 Hanza Choudhury, 36 Jackson Irvine, 11 Lloyd Dyer, 9 Stuart Beavon, 12 Calum Butcher

Subs: Ben Turner, 23 Ryan Delaney, 1 Jon McLauglin, 8 Chris O’Grady, 16 Matt Palmer, 21 Ben Fox, 22 Marcus Harness

Liverpool: 22 Simon Mignolet, 2 Nathaniel Clyne, 32 Joel Matip, 6 Dejan Lovren, 7 James Milner, 20 Adam Lallana, 23 Emre Can, 14 Jordan Henderson, 19 Sadio Mane, 27 Divock Origi, 11 Roberto Firmino

Subs: 5 Georginio Wijnaldum, 13 Alex Manninger, 15 Daniel Sturridge, 17 Ragmar Klavan, 18 Alberto Moreno, 28 Danny Ings, 35 Kevin Stewart

Man of the Match: Sadio Mane - Provides pace and incision in the final third with the ability to go either way.  Played important roles in three goals and his impact already has one thinking that with Ojo injured Klopp doesn’t have a replacement to turn too should he get injured and that was apparent against the Burnley.

Granted the opposition could have been stronger, but Sturridge showed his class poaching and flashing home goals in clinical fashion.

Joel Matip looked very comfortable on the ball, but there will be days when he will be under a lot more concerted pressure.

Worryingly, we lost Can to an injury, hopefully it’s not too bad.

Attendance: 6,450

Referee: Simon Hooper