Liverpool overcome stubborn Leeds; Hull edge Newcastle on penalties

Two late goals helped Liverpool overcome an impressive Leeds United at Anfield in the EFL Cup.

Divock Origi’s finish at the near-post post in the 76^th minute settled the home-fans nerves in a game that looked as if it could be heading to extra-time. The Belgian International stroking home from close-range from a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross.

Youngster Ben Woodburn, confirmed his side’s semi-final place five minutes later when he smashed his effort past the helpless Marco Silvestrito to become Liverpool’s youngest goal-scorer after Georginio Wijnaldum found the 17-year-old free at the back-post.

Garry Monk’s team, who were back at Anfield for the first time in 13 years, carved out the first opportunity two minutes in when Stuart Dallas’ dissecting ball played in Hadi Sacko whose effort was well-met by the returning Simon Mignolet.

Despite Jurgen Klopp’s side dominating the majority of the possession early on, the hosts struggled to break down a well-organised Leeds defence until the 12^th minute when Wijnaldum’s effort, from a slick Ovie Ejaria ball, was pushed away by Marco Silvestri.

Liverpool have scored ten goals in this season’s competition and they could have added another when they capitalised on a lack of communication between Silvestri and Kyle Bartley only for Emre Can to send the ball narrowly wide after the Italian goalkeeper failed to clear his lines.

Leeds improved on their already impressive first-half performance, and they should have taken a deserved lead in the 53^rd minute when Kemar Roofe hit the post from long-range following poor defending from Kevin Stewart.

Roofe was quickly emerging as Leeds’ biggest threat and the 23-year-old came close again in the 63^rd minute after his effort from a dangerous area was dealt with by Mignloet, before Wijnaldum hit the post in the 70^th minute after an intelligent run sent the Dutchman in on goal.

The outstanding Leed's fans were almost rewarded for their deafening support all evening when Chris Wood headed home in the latter stages, but the former Leicester City striker’s header was correctly ruled offside.

Ten-men Hull City edged Newcastle United 3-1 on penalties to book their semi-final spot after both sides played out a 1-1 draw in normal time at the KCOM stadium.

Eldin Jakupovic saved from Yoan Gouffran to hand the Premier League strugglers a much needed breath of fresh air in what is an otherwise underwhelming season for the Tigers, Newcastle’s Dwight Gayle missed his spot-kick earlier in the shootout, before Jonjo Shelvey missed his side’s opening penalty.

Despite been reduced to ten just before the 90^th minute after Dieumerci Mbokani was sent off for dangerous play on Jamaal Lascelles, the hosts displayed great determination and grit to book their place in the last four.

Mohamed Diamé scored against his former side eight minutes into extra-time. A minute later the hosts equalised when Robert Snodgrass poked in from close-range despite Matz Sels attempting to parry the ball from danger.

Achraf Lazaar shook Hull’s crossbar two minutes into extra-time, before Ciaran Clarke’s shot was pushed away by Eldin Jakupovic in the 104^th minute.

Daryl Murphy was denied from close-range when Jakupovic pushed away the former Ipswich striker’s powerful header.

The Magpies dominated much of normal play, but failed to conjure up any real opportunities, whilst Hull, despite a toothless first-half performance, upped their game in the second-half, and matched Newcastle's work-rate.

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