Sadio Mane was the star of the show as Liverpool bounced back from their loss against Burnley during the weekend with a thumping 5-0 victory over Burton Albion in the 2nd round of the EFL Cup.
The weekend loss to Burnley was a bitter pill to swallow for Jurgen Klopp and his Liverpool side. However, the Reds bounced back in style with a commanding victory over Burton Albion to progress to the 3rd round of the EFL Cup. Despite their visit to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, the boss decided to name a strong line-up so as to ensure the Reds don’t make heavy weather of what was supposed to be an easy tie on paper.
BREAKING: #BAFC‘s starting XI to face @LFC in the @EFLCup has been confirmed.. pic.twitter.com/5eRZfPsS2H
— Burton Albion FC (@burtonalbionfc) August 23, 2016
Confirmed #LFC team and subs to face @burtonalbionfc#BAFCvLFCpic.twitter.com/6v6GuYGXAI
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 23, 2016
Liverpool got off to a decent start and threatened the Burton goal numerous times before finally storming ahead through Divock Origi in the 15th minute. The move was conjured up by Sadio Mane, who returned to the side after missing out on the Reds’ trip to Turf Moor. The Senegalese forward instantly reminded the team and fans what they’d missed during their miserable defeat to Sean Dyche’s Burnley.
Origi 1-0, what an assist by Mane! ? https://t.co/tCmHUKC4U6
— Liverpool FC Vines (@LFC_Vines) August 23, 2016
Our attack instantly becomes 10x better with Mané back in the side. Completely transforms the way we play.
— Joel (@_lfcjoel) August 23, 2016
ALSO how much better a signing is Mane over Gotze? Pace, power, strength, the complete opposite of Gotze. I applaud you Jürgen.
— – (@AnfieldRd96) August 23, 2016
Every minute in preseason, and of the actual season, Sadio Mané has impressed me. Always making stuff happen. Adds new dimension. So bright
— Paul Tomkins (@paul_tomkins) August 23, 2016
Divock Origi has scored his first goal of the season for Liverpool.
Sadio Mane with the assist. pic.twitter.com/dsHZTh2frp
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 23, 2016
There’s the difference that Mane can make. Beating a man inside the box and creating a tap-in for Origi. How #LFC missed him last weekend.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) August 23, 2016
? “How’s your touch, Sadio?”
Mane plucks the ball out the air… pic.twitter.com/9l00B7tTQN
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 23, 2016
Sadio Mane = ?
Joel Matip = ?
Two new signings have massively improved us so far. That’s promising. ✔️ pic.twitter.com/AzsgxDPnfr— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) August 23, 2016
6 – Six of the 11 goals Divock Origi has scored for Liverpool have been in cup competitions (4 in League Cup, 2 in Europa League). Knockout.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 23, 2016
Just seven minutes later, Liverpool doubled their advantage through Roberto Firmino, who headed Nathaniel Clyne’s cross into the back of the net to ensure the Reds head into half-time with a comfortable lead. Mane was once again involved in the build-up to the goal, intercepting the goalkeeper’s throw in the first place before setting up Clyne.
Lovely attack, lovely cross from Clyne and a good finish from Firmino. 2-0! pic.twitter.com/HnKvYVjCnk
— Liverpool FC Vines (@LFC_Vines) August 23, 2016
Roberto Firmino’s goal means Burton have conceded a goal every 39 minutes in all comps so far this season pic.twitter.com/1SQd5ayTVF
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) August 23, 2016
Roberto Firmino scores his first goal of the 2016/17 campaign for Liverpool.
Nathaniel Clyne with the assist. pic.twitter.com/u0x8A3uyMN
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 23, 2016
Firmino does have an eye for goal, it’s undeniable. Him and Gabigol consequently are my 2 options for (false) 9 if Neymar is used elsewhere.
— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats2) August 23, 2016
Coutinho on the left, Sadio on the right – Firmino/Sturridge/Origi up top. ? pic.twitter.com/t04WP4uH38
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) August 23, 2016
The second half saw the Reds smash three goals past the Brewers to compound the misery on Nigel Clough’s side. The first of the three goals came off a corner when Tom Naylor, in a bid to clear the ball, headed it into his own goal. Sturridge then scored two well-taken goals to complete the rout for the Reds. Mane was once again integrally involved in the build-up to both the strikes. There was absolutely no doubt who the man of the match was.
LIVERPOOL HAVE SCORED FROM A CORNER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. GOAL. CORNER.
— Ü (@ThoseScouseLads) August 23, 2016
“Liverpool have scored from a corner, lad! Lad?” #LFC pic.twitter.com/GlGm5i9chb
— THE ANFIELD WRAP (@TheAnfieldWrap) August 23, 2016
Brilliant attack and it’s 4-0. Sturridge! pic.twitter.com/2aFQ1bNE0y
— Liverpool FC Vines (@LFC_Vines) August 23, 2016
5-0 Sturridge! pic.twitter.com/O2KbbPEs8a
— Liverpool Gifs (@LiverpoolGifs) August 23, 2016
Love Mané already. Game changer ?
Atleast we will be happy on here for a few ?
— Anything Liverpool (@Anything_LFC) August 23, 2016
Mane, Origi and Sturridge are what dreams are made of.
— James – Anfield Chat (@TheAnfieldChat) August 23, 2016
#19 Mane has done more in two games than #19 Stewart Downing in two seasons.
— Paul (@Kolology) August 23, 2016
Please take off Mané and wrap him in bubblewrap till next game, cheers
— Indigo (@IndigoLFC) August 23, 2016
Sadio ‘The Difference’ Mane
First-half stats:
Four key passes
One assist
44 touches
88% passing accuracy #LFC pic.twitter.com/jXvffSTpCN— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) August 23, 2016
Mane and Sturridge on the pitch together ?
— Aakriti Mehrotra (@Aakriti1) August 23, 2016
Mané’s change of pace is electric and unlike a lot of quick players, he has such a good brain to create for himself and others. Huge talent.
— Joseph Musker (@Musker_LFC) August 23, 2016
Liverpool, however, did have injury worries after Emre Can and Origi left the pitch with knocks that left the supporters concerned.
Klopp: “Emre Can doesn’t have that pain anymore but it was the ankle with which he had problems last season so he’s a little bit worried.”
— Viktor Fagerström (@ViktorFagerLFC) August 23, 2016
When Emre Can went down pic.twitter.com/q1CUWKuF7s
— Indigo (@IndigoLFC) August 23, 2016
It’s amazing how reliant our midfield is upon Emre Can. Excellent showing from him tonight, another reminder of his outstanding qualities.
— Anfield Hub (@AnfieldHub) August 23, 2016
Everyone is worried about just one man right now… it’s Emre Can.
— AnfieldIndex (@AnfieldIndex) August 23, 2016
Klopp was also quick to allay Divock Origi injury fears revealing the Belgium striker was suffering from cramp. #LFC
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) August 23, 2016
Overall, it was a comfortable outing for Klopp’s men and the German will hope the Reds carry forward this momentum and intensity to White Hart Lane when they lock horns against last season’s title challengers in Tottenham.
Moreover, Liverpool fans will hope this is the beginning of yet another special cup run, and will pray that the team can go one step further and lift the season’s first piece of silverware.
