Klopp hails Liverpool’s youngsters, ‘brilliant’ Sturridge

Mark Scott
Jurgen Klopp: Keeps watchful eye at Anfield

Jurgen Klopp: Keeps watchful eye at Anfield

Jurgen Klopp was impressed with Liverpool’s youngsters, as well as Daniel Sturridge, after the Reds advanced to EFL Cup quarter-finals.

The Reds took an early lead through Sturridge on nine minutes when the England forward converted a cross from 20-year-old Serbian midfielder Marko Grujic.

Sturridge was on target against after 64 minutes when he latched onto a pass from Georginio Wijnaldum and beat Spurs stand-in keeper Michel Vorm.

Tottenham reduced the deficit with 14 minutes left when Vincent Janssen converted a penalty after a foul by Lucas on Erik Lamela.

Sturridge was denied a hat-trick by the crossbar as Jurgen Klopp’s men progressed to the last eight.

“The game was what I expected, in a positive way for us. Then, for part of it, we lost concentration and caused our problems by ourselves,” Klopp told Sky Sports.

“Overall, the summary is very positive, a deserved win.”

On Daniel Sturridge, he added: “He did what he has to do. It was brilliant, he could have scored three or four.

“The youngsters were really good. All of them. Trent Alexander-Arnold made a wonderful start in the game. They can play better but with the pressure and new circumstances it was really good.

“We had the bigger chances and we deserved to win. We created a wonderful atmosphere and nobody could leave early.”