Liverpool 1-0 Bournemouth

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Nathaniel ClyneImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Match-winner Clyne was one of only two Liverpool players to keep his place from Sunday's home draw against Southampton

Jurgen Klopp earned his first win as Liverpool boss after Nathaniel Clyne's maiden Reds goal saw off Bournemouth in the Capital One Cup fourth round.

Reds keeper Adam Bogdan stopped Junior Stanislas's close-range shot with his legs as Bournemouth started brightly.

Liverpool, who drew their three opening games under Klopp, led when Clyne pounced after Adam Smith cleared Joao Carlos Teixeira's flick off the line.

Bogdan saved from Matt Ritchie in injury time as Liverpool held on.

The Reds, who have won the League Cup on a record eight occasions, move into the quarter-finals for the second successive season.

Klopp will take his team to Premier League rivals Southampton in the last eight.

Firmino ready to shine?

Liverpool's attack has been severely depleted by injury, with Christian Benteke joining Daniel Sturridge on the sidelines after being ruled out of the tie on Wednesday morning.

Their absence, both through knee injuries, meant Klopp placed his faith in £29m summer signing Roberto Firmino and 20-year-old Belgium international Divock Origi.

Ex-Dortmund boss Klopp said Firmino was "the best player in the Bundesliga" for a short time last season - and the Brazil international responded with a standout performance against the Cherries.

Firmino's vision created the winning goal, picking out Teixeira whose cheeky backheel could only be cleared into the path of Clyne.

And former Lille striker Origi, who is yet to score for the Reds since arriving at Anfield this season following a loan year in France, can also take credit for his part in the winner.

He had few opportunities to break his scoring duck, but his pace pulled apart the Cherries defence, allowing Firmino to pick out Teixeira.

Image source, Reuters
Image caption,

Klopp celebrated his first win after Liverpool held on to a lead for only the fourth time this season

Cherries shore up defence

Bournemouth had conceded 10 goals in their previous two Premier League matches, and Cherries boss Eddie Howe had warned his side they must defend better at Anfield.

Howe made six changes to the team that started Sunday's 5-1 home defeat by Spurs - and admitted only several injuries and the unavailability of loan players stopped him making more.

On the whole, they were much tighter defensively, and while Liverpool created the better opportunities, the visitors were rarely cut open easily.

Teixeira's curling free-kick had to be pushed clear by keeper Adam Federici after the break, while Firmino dragged a shot wide after Cherries midfielder Marc Pugh lost possession.

On the other hand, once Bogdan had made three smart first-half saves from Stanislas, Eddie Howe's men offered little attacking threat themselves.

Manager reaction

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp:

"My first win feels better than a draw. I'm really satisfied because this team had never played together and the young players did really well.

"We had many chances against a side which played with nearly their first team. We were dominant, played football and got the win we deserved.

"It was very important to win because we decided to go with a new team. To win is always good for the feeling of the whole team."

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe:

"I think we should have got something from the game. We created some good chances in both halves, but especially in the first half we had that cutting edge and their keeper made some good saves.

"Some of our passing and build-up play was very good - the only thing missing was the goals. We grew into the game, even in the second half when we didn't create chances, we played well. We don't want to get used to losing, but it was a positive day for us."

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