Burton Albion vs Liverpool. Carabao Cup Second Round.
Pirelli StadiumAttendance6,450.
Wednesday 24 August 2016 08:21, UK
Liverpool thrashed Burton Albion 5-0 at the Pirelli Stadium to move into the third round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday night.
The impressive Sadio Mane teed up Divock Origi for the Reds' opener on 15 minutes and Roberto Firmino nodded home their second (22).
A Tom Naylor own goal (61) and a late double by substitute Daniel Sturridge (78, 83) completed the scoring for Jurgen Klopp's side, booking their place in the next round.
The only concern for the Liverpool boss will be a potential injury suffered by Emre Can, who was replaced midway through the second half after going down without contact.
Klopp took Liverpool to the final last season, losing to Manchester City on penalties, after succeeding Brendan Rodgers two months into the campaign and his team are on the Wembley trail again after negotiating a potentially tricky opening tie against Sky Bet Championship opposition.
Burton were on the back foot from the off as Origi latched on to Mane's through ball down the right side of the penalty area but shot straight at goalkeeper Stephen Bywater.
Mane was involved again shortly afterwards, starting a move which saw Adam Lallana's cross find Firmino but Bywater pushed his powerful header wide.
Bywater was busy again when he rushed out to block at the feet of Origi but he was beaten after 15 minutes and Mane was again the architect, showing good feet inside the box to create space to cross for Origi who turned the ball in from close range with a back-heel flick.
Lallana sent a header wide as the Premier League team continued to create openings before Bywater's good early work was undone after his mistake led to Liverpool's second goal. The goalkeeper's throw out was intercepted and Nathaniel Clyne surged down the right wing before crossing for Firmino to head home.
To their credit Burton played some good football at times but struggled to create any chances. Defender Kyle McFadzean sent a header wide just before half-time from a set-piece.
It took Liverpool until the 61st minute to extend their lead. Can flicked on James Milner's corner and the ball hit Naylor on the hip and went in.
There was a rare chance for Burton immediately afterwards but Lucas Akins shot wide from inside the box after latching onto a long pass.
Sturridge found his range with a 22-yard effort that Bywater had to tip wide before tapping in from close range after 78 minutes following good play down the right from Milner and Mane.
Five minutes later, and following Mane's third assist of the night, Sturridge powered a shot into the bottom corner of the net from 18 yards to complete the scoring.
