Sterling scores for Liverpool after 51-pass move - video
Reds book a place in the League Cup semi-finals with a much needed win over Bournemouth
Bournemouth 1 Liverpool 3. Liverpool's season got a much-needed shot in the arm as they advanced to the League Cup semi-finals with a convincing win over Championship leaders Bournemouth and sent a message to their detractors by opening the scoring after a remarkable 51-pass move.
The pressure was on for Reds boss Brendan Rodgers ahead of the tricky quarter-final tie on the south coast, but in the end his side prevailed.
Two goals for Raheem Sterling, the first capping a two-and-a-half-minute build-up, and a first Liverpool strike for winger Lazar Markovic were enough for the Premier League side, despite a late rally from Bournemouth in which they pulled a goal back.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"In the end the overriding emotion was one of relief, even if Rodgers listed a plethora of positive adjectives to describe the attacking performance," writes Alan Smith for The Guardian. "Liverpool are by no means out of the woods and problems could crop up again when Arsenal come to Anfield on Sunday in the Premier League."
But they can take pleasure in a "defiant and even dizzying" performance says the Daily Mail. "Soon enough they will be under the spotlight again, but this was a gutsy display and at least temporarily lifted the gloom that has enveloped this club."
And the first goal was one to savour. "There were a staggering 51 passes in the build up to Sterling's opener, a head-turning move that left Bournemouth’s defence utterly bewildered," drools the paper.
Liverpool's reward is a showdown with Chelsea in the semi-finals. "Only time will tell if the tide has turned in their season, and a two-legged tussle against Chelsea to reach Wembley will be tough, but this was hugely encouraging," says Henry Winter of the Daily Telegraph.
In the night's other quarter-final Spurs beat Newcastle 4-0 at White Hart Lane, they will be favourites to make the final after being drawn against Sheffield United in the second semi-final.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Thomas Tuchel to become next England football manager
Speed Read 'Divisive' German coach hopes to lead the men's team to victory
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium early
Talking Point The belief that 'true fans stay to the end' does not always apply
By The Week UK Published
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Has Liverpool been weakened by Jürgen Klopp’s ‘seven-year itch’?
feature After seven years at Anfield, critics are wondering whether his magic is wearing off
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League all-star game: ‘incredibly arrogant’ or natural ‘evolution’?
Talking Point Managers and pundits dismiss US-inspired idea from Chelsea co-owner
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Raheem Sterling: Chelsea move ‘makes sense for all’
Why Everyone’s Talking About England star set for return to west London from Manchester City
By Mike Starling Published
-
Who is Darwin Nunez? The ‘modern striker’ signing for Liverpool
Why Everyone’s Talking About Portuguese club Benfica confirm a deal for the Uruguay international worth up to €100m
By Mike Starling Published