Liverpool started their EFL Cup campaign successfully and comfortably with a 0-5 win at Burton Albion.
Coming back off a Premier League defeat at Burnley on Saturday, and still hurting from their League Cup final defeat against Manchester City last season, Jürgen Klopp's men came back all guns blazing.
Well, not quite. The score line over-compliments the Reds, a match that was less thrilling, entertaining and impressive, more like a kick in the park.
Divock Origi opened the scoring at the Pirelli Stadium, 15 minutes in, netting Sadio Mané's cross from close range with a cheeky back-heel flick.
Roberto Firmino doubled the score seven minutes later, keeper Stephen Bywater throwing the ball into Nathaniel Clyne's path whose surge down the right wing provided the Brazilian with a perfect cross to head in.
Just when it looked like Nigel Clough's men may be able to grind back something out of the match, taking more possession in the second half, a Tom Naylor own goal just past the hour made it 0-3.
Substitute Daniel Sturridge added two more to the Brewers' misery, 78' and 83', being in the right place at the right time, in the box, central, seemingly proving a point to those watching.
The only worry for Klopp's men on an easy night out came with Emre Can's injury who went down without any tackle or contact and had to be replaced just over halfway through the second half.
The next big test comes Saturday, lunch time, at White Hart Lane, where they can really prove what they are made of! (I'll be covering the Premier League match live on ByTheMinute.co)
Liverpool Goals: Origi 15', Firmino 22', Naylor OG 61', Sturridge 78' & 83'.
Burton Albion Team: 13 Bywater; 14 McCrory, 5 McFadzean (c), 15 Naylor; 11 Dyer (21 Fox 65'), 36 Irvine (16 Palmer 45'), 19 Choudhury (booked 57'), 7 Williamson (booked 61'), 10 Akins (22 Harness 65'); 9 Butcher, 12 Beavon. 3-5-2
Subs not used: 6 Turner, 23 Delaney, 1 McLaughlin, 8 O'Grady.
Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 7 Milner, 6 Lovren, 32 Matip, 2 Clyne; 14 Henderson (c), 23 Can (35 Stewart 71'), 20 Lallana (5 Wijnaldum 64'); 11 Firmino (15 Sturridge 64'), 27 Origi, 19 Mané. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 13 Manninger, 17 Klavan, 18 Moreno, 28 Ings.
Match Stats: Burton Albion-Liverpool
Possession: 41%-59%
Attempts: 4-15
On target: 0-8
Corners: 6-3
Offsides: 0-5
Fouls: 4-7
Bookings: 2-0
Referee: Simon Hooper
Ground: Pirelli Stadium
Attendance: 6,450
Pictures taken from the BBC match report, stats taken from Sky Sports app
Click here for my previous LFC match report
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