Thursday 29 October 2015 15:26, UK
Nathaniel Clyne's first-half finish was enough to separate the sides and see Liverpool progress through to the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth.
Jurgen Klopp opted for an inexperienced line-up but the Reds got the job done with several of the youngsters impressing at Anfield.
Here, we take a look at five of Liverpool's young players - two of whom were making their full debut with another making his Anfield bow…
Joao Teixeira
Teixeira isn't particularly young these days - he turns 23 in January - but this was the first time that Liverpool supporters have seen him in competitive action for the club since his debut appearance in a brief runout at Fulham in February 2014. Many will enjoy what they witnessed as the Portuguese player showed the sort of creativity he'd hinted at during pre-season.
His clever run for the opening goal preceded an audacious back-heeled effort that was cleared off the line but only as far as Clyne who gave Liverpool the lead from the follow-up. After the break, Teixeira tested Adam Federici from a free-kick and though he was occasionally wasteful with his final ball, his willingness to attempt the killer pass could tempt Klopp to turn to him again.
I thought he did very well. He actually took free-kicks off Firmino in the second half. There’s certainly talent there and with what he’s shown tonight hopefully the manager will use him a lot more.
Connor Randall
"He is a runner with clear direction and I like this," said Klopp of his young right-back when interviewed before kick-off and it didn't take too long for Randall to provide an example. Indeed, the 20-year-old got forward well throughout - almost getting on the end of an Ibe through-ball early on - while standing up well to an experienced and skilful winger in Marc Pugh.
The former Under-18s captain has been at the club since the age of eight but looks to be on the brink of a breakthrough now. With Joe Gomez and Jon Flanagan injured, as well as Jose Enrique out of favour, Klopp's full-back options are limited and he was tidy enough here to encourage the notion that he can be called upon again with Liverpool still in four competitions.
He is a runner with clear direction and I like this.
Cameron Brannagan
Brannagan had already seen action as a substitute in the Europa League last month and was rewarded with his first start for the senior side against the Cherries. The 19-year-old signed a contract extension until 2018 earlier this week and built on that good news with a performance that earned him a standing ovation from sections of the Anfield crowd.
The midfielder made more tackles than anyone else on the pitch during his 65-minute appearance and boasted the best pass completion rate of any player in the opening period too - finding a team-mate with 96.2 per cent of his passes. He found the second half a little tougher but received warm congratulations from Klopp upon being replaced by Lucas and certainly enhanced his reputation.
Jordon Ibe
Despite still being a teenager, Ibe has had his chances at Liverpool and has now made over 20 Premier League appearances for the club. However, he seems to have been one of those whose progress has stuttered this season amid the team's struggles. Inconsistency is to be expected of a young winger, of course, but this was far more like it from the England Under-21 international.
"This young man can really play," said Jamie Redknapp before kick-off. "He's got all the fundamentals. Everything is in place. He's got it. He's quick as lightning." Ibe backed that up with an effervescent display, troubling Bournemouth left-back Charlie Daniels with his trickery. There were threaded passes, dribbles and crosses aplenty in an exciting performance.
This young man can really play. He's got all the fundamentals. Everything is in place. He's got it. He's quick as lightning.
Divock Origi
Pressed into regular action this season due to the injuries to Liverpool's strikers, Origi gave glimpses here of why he may be worthy of further opportunities in future - while also showing he's far from the finished product. The highlight was the pace and power displayed in holding off the experienced Sylvain Distin down the right channel in the build-up to Liverpool's opening goal.
The Belgian also made a defensive contribution at times too, but one off-target effort on goal meant there wasn't much to show for his efforts in the penalty area. Eight games into his Anfield career the 20-year-old is still waiting for his first Liverpool goal following his £10m transfer and that's a concern right now despite his considerable potential.
