Full disclosure: expected Liverpool’s reserve team to lose this one to what looked like a very strong if not absolute full strength Leicester side who – after a period of dodgy postponements – were likely to be fresh and up for this one. Furthermore, for a long time this tournament has meant nothing to me, other than a great chance to see some of the kids, and even at times, the toddlers.

Going up against the financially-doped opponents we needed to prioritise since Klopp arrived and, thankfully, after a Champions League win and Premier League victory the choices made by the manager in domestic cup competitions have been vindicated.

And then this game happened…

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