Liverpool secured their place in the last eight of the Carabao Cup with a 2-1 win over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday night. Substitute Darwin Nunez scored a stunning goal from the left edge of the box to seal the victory for the Reds, who will face West Ham in the next round.
Gakpo breaks the deadlock for Liverpool
The visitors dominated the possession and created several chances in the first half, but had to wait until the 31st minute to open the scoring. Harvey Elliott’s volley from a Dominik Szoboszlai corner was parried by Bournemouth goalkeeper Ionut Radu, but Cody Gakpo was alert to poke home the rebound from close range. It was the Dutch winger’s first goal for Liverpool since joining from PSV Eindhoven in the summer.
Kluivert equalizes for Bournemouth
Bournemouth came out stronger in the second half and tested Caoimhin Kelleher with some long-range shots. The Irish keeper made a superb save to deny Marcus Tavernier, who had replaced Antoine Semenyo at half-time. However, he could not prevent Justin Kluivert from heading in the equalizer in the 64th minute. The Dutch forward, on loan from Roma, nodded in Alex Scott’s corner at the far post, scoring his first goal for the Cherries.
Nunez steals the show with a brilliant strike
Liverpool responded by bringing on Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ryan Gravenberch and Darwin Nunez, who had scored seven goals in all competitions this season. The Uruguayan striker made an immediate impact, scoring a sensational goal in the 70th minute. He received a pass from Alexander-Arnold on the left flank and cut inside before unleashing a curling shot that flew into the top right corner, leaving Radu no chance. It was a goal worthy of winning any game, and it sent Liverpool into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup for the fifth time under Jurgen Klopp.
