Liverpool progressed to the League Cup quarter-finals on penalties after a 10-goal thriller against Arsenal, leaving fans both bemused and in awe.
Liverpool 5-5 Arsenal (5-4 on pens)
League Cup Fourth Round, Anfield
October 30, 2019
Goals: Mustafi OG 6’, Milner 43’, Oxlade-Chamberlain 58’, Origi 63’, 90+4′; Torreira 19’, Martinelli 26’, 36’, Maitland-Niles 54’, Willock 70’
Arsenal were the visitors as a much-changed Liverpool side littered with youngsters making their maiden Anfield appearance looked to progress to the quarter-finals of the League Cup.
Conversely, the Gunners opted for more senior faces, but it was the Reds who got off to the perfect start in what would prove to be nothing short of an end-to-end affair on Merseyside.
Arsenal would go on to find the net three times within 15 minutes as they punished Liverpool’s defensive lapses, before James Milner’s conversion from the spot on the cusp of half-time ensured the Reds were still within striking distance.
A further five goals would nestle into the net, as an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain thunderbolt and a Divock Origi double took the game to penalties, and the Reds emerged victorious to progress to the last eight.
Here’s how supporters reacted to the spectacular result on Twitter, Facebook and This Is Anfield’s forums.
After a poor opening term, fans felt it was the senior players who were off the pace…
Senior lads need to step up. Lallainho isn't working. Naby needs to do more. Divock is wasted down the flank in my opinion. Ox needs to be bolder
— LFCZA ?? (@LFCZA) October 30, 2019
For a half largely lacking urgency and quality, that had quite a few goals. #LFC’s youngsters doing OK so far – inconsistent at times, but that’s to be expected. Seniors like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could do with stepping it up.
— Matt Addison (@MattAddison97) October 30, 2019
https://twitter.com/TheKopMagazine/status/1189637973870026757
“I would never be too harsh on young lads but there’s very little excuse for the performances of some of the senior lads, Keita and Origi, in particular, have been poor.
– T.C.B on the forums.
Naby Keita was awful tonight.
Talented but so lightweight & very questionable decision making. #LIVARS #LFC
— Jamie Holme (@JamieHolme) October 30, 2019
Terrible defending. Suppose you should expect it from a team that have never played together! The regular first team era letting the kids down at this point. #LFC
— Graeme Kelly (@GraemeKelly1) October 30, 2019
They answered emphatically with a couple of stunning efforts through Ox & Origi…
https://twitter.com/SachinNakrani/status/1189644599574384647
Our Divi is ace.
— Steven Scragg (@Scraggy_74) October 30, 2019
Hahaha jesus what a strike lad.
— Green Scouser (@Green_Scouser) October 30, 2019
“Origi what a goal. Great turn.”
– Sweeting on the forums.
https://twitter.com/StanleyHouseLFC/status/1189644901442609165
Divock doesn't create a thing… But his ability to score decisive goals at just the right moment is the most unexplainable thing in football right now!
— Sports Analysis (@AnalyseSport) October 30, 2019
And the youngsters rose alongside them, with Jones & Williams the standouts…
What a remarkable end to an extraordinary game of football. Divock Origi's name being sung but Neco Williams was outstanding to create his chance. A young man of whom you will be hearing plenty more of, judged on this evidence.
— Dominic King (@DominicKing_DM) October 30, 2019
“Jones is fucking phenomenal.”
– indianscouser on the forums.
https://twitter.com/thiemazette/status/1189650510246268928
All that said, still think that Curtis Jones is closest to being a Premier League player. Excellent technique but also intelligence in how he closes down space.
— Paul Grech (@paul_grech) October 30, 2019
https://twitter.com/JohnParlanti/status/1189638917361950722
Curtis Jones is such a talented footballer. Vision and composure is high quality
— Ste Davies (@StevenD1977) October 30, 2019
Curtis Jones ??????????. Superb fight back from the Reds ????????
— keith costigan (@KeithCostigan) October 30, 2019
Curtis Jones, Elliot, Williams, Kelleher, Chiri, Sepp, Brewster.
Boys take a bow. Take Five bows…????
— Teelaw (@The_real_Teelaw) October 30, 2019
The game itself left many amused and astounded as the defence and attack had polarising evenings…
It's like a big mad game of oversized 5 a-side.
— Steven Scragg (@Scraggy_74) October 30, 2019
And that ladies and gentlemen is why you don’t leave with 10 minutes to go.
— The Redmen TV (@TheRedmenTV) October 30, 2019
Absolute scenes, a truly mental game of football
— Jonathan Higgins (@Jhiggins3) October 30, 2019
10 goals in 90 minutes, just 9 in the penalty shootout. #LIVARS
— James Nalton (@JDNalton) October 30, 2019
2 hours of pure footballing banter. The right side of our team had a combined age of 33, hilarious #LFC
— Jack Williams (@JLWi11iams) October 30, 2019
LFC entertaining, again. This club mate. Unreal. #LFC
— Graeme Kelly (@GraemeKelly1) October 30, 2019
Overall, Reds were delighted with the show of mental fortitude as the youngsters earned another chance to shine…
What a game! What a win! Fitting too that it was one of #LFC’s army of genuinely promising youngsters that sealed the win in the shootout. A night they’ll never forget.
— Jim Boardman (@JimBoardman) October 30, 2019
Ah that was brilliant. Delighted for the young lads. The mini mentality giants.
— Green Scouser (@Green_Scouser) October 30, 2019
Great experience for the kids, more fixtures for them to get game time as well.
— Tom McMahon (@tomjpmac) October 30, 2019
Several young Anfield debutants tonight and moments many of them will never forget. Delighted for them.
— Leanne Prescott (@_lfcleanne) October 30, 2019
Wow! The kids are alright eh?!
— Andy Kelly (@AndyK_LivNews) October 30, 2019
https://twitter.com/TheKopMagazine/status/1189658014942408705
“Mentality Monsters at every level through the club. Never die attitude, I love it. Go on you Reds!”
– nonodoll on the forums.
These boys just refuse to lose…. I fucking love it
— SimonBrundish (@SimonBrundish) October 30, 2019
Privileged to be a #LFC supporter witnessing this Jürgen Klopp team.
Mentality monsters all the way down to the under 18s.
Don't know when to quit. So much to be learnt from and applied to in every day life. #LIVARS
— Srijandeep Kumar Das (@srijandeep) October 30, 2019
https://twitter.com/SachinNakrani/status/1189656929876008960
