Record-breaker Woodburn puts Liverpool in semis
LONDON: Liverpool reached the League Cup semifinals as 17-year-old Ben Woodburn enjoyed a night to remember by becoming the club’s youngest ever goalscorer when he wrapped up a 2-0 victory over Leeds United on Tuesday.
The youngster volleyed powerfully into the net from close range in front of the Kop in the 81st minute to double Liverpool’s lead and simultaneously erase former England striker Michael Owen from the club’s record books. At 17 years and 45 days, Woodburn was 98 days younger than Owen, when he found the net for the first time in 1997.
It had been a testing evening for Liverpool, who were frustrated for the majority of the tie at Anfield and were outplayed at times by their second-tier opponents, with Leeds pegging them back and striking the woodwork in the second half.
However, the hosts’ Divock Origi slid home the opening goal after 76 minutes before Woodburn struck four minutes later. “We all know how young Woodburn is, but it doesn’t look like this in training sessions,” Liverpool boss Juergen Klopp told Sky Sports. “It’s a nice story and all the boys are really happy for him. Everybody is smiling in the dressing room.”
Hull City’s quarterfinal tie against visiting Newcastle United went to extra time with the match goalless.
EIGHT CHANGES With a host of injuries to deal with and a congested festive fixture schedule looming, Klopp rang made eight changes from the side that beat Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday and gave several youngsters an opportunity to shine. There was a makeshift feel to the way Liverpool played in the first half as Leeds enjoyed the best chances with Hadi Sacko forcing a superb early save from Simon Mignolet and Kemar Roofe curling a beautiful effort against the post after the break.
It was not until later in the second period that the hosts began to find some rhythm, with Georginio Wijnaldum striking the post minutes before Origi slid in to poke a brilliant cross from another youngster, Trent Alexander-Arnold, in at the near post.
Woodburn’s moment arrived five minutes later with Origi’s cross to the far post finding the young striker unmarked. He smashed the ball high into the net and wheeled away in celebration in front of a jubilant Kop.
Arsenal host Southampton and Manchester United welcome West Ham United in the two remaining ties on Wednesday. — Reuters