Daniel Sturridge kept his scoring record intact in the League Cup as he struck twice as Liverpool overcame Tottenham to reach the EFL Cup quarter-finals and extend their unbeaten run to 10 matches.
The Reds’ striker was an unused substitute in Saturday’s win over West Brom but needed less than 10 minutes to turn in instinctively from six yards.
Jurgen Klopp made 11 changes from the weekend, one more than Mauricio Pochettino, and it was Liverpool who created more in a scrappy affair.
The impressive Divock Origi laid on two clear chances that Sturridge wasted, but the pair combined again for the England striker to be sent clear and slide his second under Michel Vorm’s body.
Spurs – who started with eight players aged 23 or under – were by no means overawed but struggled in attack until Vincent Janssen slammed home a penalty when substitute Erik Lamela was fouled.
Sturridge curled against the bar with the outside of his left foot late on and substitute Danny Ings saw a one-on-one chance saved as Liverpool moved into Wednesday’s draw.
Arsenal win
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored twice as Arsenal extended their unbeaten run with a hard-fought EFL Cup win against Championship side Reading.
The England midfielder opened the scoring when he skipped into the box and drilled into the bottom corner.
Image courtesy: Daily Mail Football
Reading almost equalised when Callum Harriott’s deflected shot landed on top of Emiliano Martinez’s goal.
Arsenal dominated after half-time, with Oxlade-Chamberlain’s deflected shot completing a 14th game without defeat.
Newcastle humiliate Preston
Newcastle thrashed 10-man Preston in front of almost 50,000 fans at St James’ Park to reach the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
Image courtesy: Daily Mail Football
Serbia striker Aleksandar Mitrovic scored in each half on his first Newcastle start since September.
Mohamed Diame also struck twice – his first goals for the club – while Matt Ritchie scored a penalty and Ayoze Perez netted in stoppage time.
Preston midfielder Alan Browne had been sent off for elbowing Jack Colback.
