Liverpool win EPIC (14-13) penalty shoot-out

Brendan Rodgers' side were forced to spot kicks after
Patrick Bamford netted a penalty in injury time of extra
time, but the hosts progressed to the last 16 of the League
Cup
Liverpool secured their passage to
the last-16 of the League Cup after
a sensational 14-13 penalty
shootout over Middlesbrough.
Brendan Rodgers' men, who have
lost three of their opening five
Premier League fixtures, were far
from their best again as they drew
2-2 after extra time in a pulsating
encounter at Anfield.
And the incredible action continued into the spot kicks, with
some players required to take second penalties after 20 of the
first 22 were converted.
A further seven would follow suit
until Middlesbrough's Albert
Adomah missed the target to
secure the hosts' progress via a
scarcely believable 14-13
scoreline.
It appeared a comfortable night
was in the offing for Liverpool
when teenage debutant Jordan
Rossiter struck in the ninth minute.
But Middlesbrough were
undeterred and enjoyed the better
of proceedings thereafter, their
reward coming midway through
the second period when Adam
Reach headed home to stun the
home crowd.
Liverpool again took control
during extra time, substitute Suso
hitting his first goal of the club to
seemingly seal their progression.
Patrick Bamford equalised from
the spot in injury time of extra
time following mistakes from
Raheem Sterling and Kolo Toure,
but Rodgers' side eventually
booked their fourth-round berth in
dramatic fashion.
Liverpool fielded something of an
experimental starting XI, with the
likes of Rossiter being
complemented by Sterling, Adam
Lallana and Lazar Markovic.
The hosts came out of the blocks
with positivity, moving the ball
quickly in the final third.
But it was Middlesbrough who had
the first effort on target, ex-
Liverpool defender Daniel Ayala
heading straight at Simon
Mignolet.
Any momentum gleaned from that was quickly extinguished
when the hosts took the lead, however.
A dreadful mix-up between Kenneth Omeruo and debutant
Jamal Blackman preceded the latter making a point-blank save
to deny Rickie Lambert, who captained Liverpool on his first
start for the club.
But Blackman's clearance fell to Rossiter, with the goalkeeper
then somehow failing to keep out the 17-year-old's low 25-yard
strike.
Middlesbrough responded well as Kike's goal-bound volley was
deflected over by Lambert.
That heralded a spell of visiting pressure, Lee Tomlin forcing a
solid save from Mignolet with a fizzing strike.
Picking up where they left off, Middlesbrough began strongly
after the interval as Tomlin struck narrowly wide from distance.
Liverpool took control again well as they found a passing
rhythm, although their final ball was leaving much to be
desired.
Yet Aitor Karanka's team found a leveller in the 62nd
minute, Reach capitalising on being unmarked to head
Grant Leadbitter's free-kick home.
They continued to enjoy the better of the chances afterwards,
too, with Mignolet having to be on high alert to keep out Adam
Clayton's excellent strike.
And Clayton threatened again with five minutes remaining,
hitting the outside of the post after being found by Tomlin's
superb throughball.
An uneventful first half of extra time made way for chances
afterwards, Blackman making solid saves to deny Jose Enrique
and substitute Mario Balotelli in quick succession.
Suso appeared to have put Liverpool through, only for
Bamford to score from the spot in the 123rd minute to force
penalties.
He could not follow that up with Middlesbrough's first kick of
the shootout, his saved strike one of only two missed in the
first 27.
But despite Sterling missing the other when he had the chance
to win it 5-4, Liverpool eventually sent their fans home happy.