Liverpool and Hull City reached the semi-finals of the League Cup last night following wins over Leeds United and Newcastle United respectively.
Jurgen Klopp made eight changes to his Reds team at Anfield last night, and they somewhat struggled to get past their Championship opponents, yet goals from Divock Origi and 17-year-old Ben Woodburn booked their place in the last four.
Mike Phelan’s Hull and Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle couldn’t be separated after 90 minutes at the KCOM Stadium, yet Mo Diame gave the visitors the lead eight minutes into extra-time as the Championship leaders sensed an upset.
However, their joy was short lived, as Robert Snodgrass equalised within a minute of Diame’s opener when he responded quickest to goalkeeper Matz Sels’ weak parry.
It finished 1-1 after 120 minutes, and it was the Tigers that got the better of the penalty shoot-out with shot-stopper Eldin Jakupovic saving from Jonjo Shelvey and Yoan Gouffran to secure a memorable victory for Hull, who had never before reached the last four of the League Cup.
On what was an exciting night of League Cup action, many supporters up and down the country took to Twitter to express their views, with many Liverpool fans delighted to reach the last four, especially as they were pushed all the way by a decent Leeds side…
https://twitter.com/Dan_Of_Iniquity/status/803733023954976768
Good win for #LFC tonight, great performances from the youngsters and one step closer to some silverware!
— Ben Cropper (@croppersports) November 29, 2016
But it was teenager Woodburn who took the limelight, as his goal for the Reds last night means that he is now their youngest ever goal-scorer (17 years 45 days), beating the record previously held by Michael Owen by 98 days…
Good win tonight vs Leeds and @BenWoodburn becomes @LFC 's youngest ever goalscorer beating @themichaelowen ! #LFC #Woodburn
— Jack Harvey (@JackAlexanderTV) November 29, 2016
Ben Woodburn is Liverpool's new youngest ever goal scorer. Hopefully he turns out like the previous youngest, Michael Owen. #LFC
— Richard (@rpenners1) November 30, 2016
The consensus about Ben Woodburn's goal seems to be "I'm getting old" and "What am I doing with my life?" #LFC
— Marco 🏴☠️🍉 @vivastpauli.bsky.social (@vivast_pauli) November 30, 2016
However, Klopp’s men had to battle to get through to the semi-finals, and many Leeds fans were proud of their side’s efforts at Anfield last night…
#lufc Leeds brilliant tonight. Created as much as Liverpool, fought like tigers. The performance best for years.
— Toby Helm (@tobyhelm) November 29, 2016
Well proud of performance tonight,scoreline does flatter liverpool massively,1st goal would of been crucial. Onto villa saturday #lufc
— Keegan Mallender (@kmallenderr) November 29, 2016
It's something special when Liverpool fans are saying Leeds are the best side to have played at Anfield this season #lufc #mot
— Ryan (@LeedsUtdRyan) November 29, 2016
In the evening’s other tie, it was Hull who got the better of Newcastle, and Tigers fans were understandably thrilled at reaching the club’s first ever League Cup semi-final…
Life as a Hull City fan has some moments that's for sure 👏🏻 great night, wasn't a walk over after all was it #NUFC #hcafc
— Danny Smith (@Dansmith_HCAFC) November 30, 2016
Right. At what point did Hull City become a good cup team who can win penalty shootouts?? #hcafc
— David Lambert (@David_Lambert22) November 30, 2016
Despite all the bad going on around the club, we could be going to Wembley for the 4th time in 4 years. Some achievement. #hcafc
— Specky (@danny_speck) November 29, 2016
While several Newcastle fans were frustrated at what many deemed as a missed opportunity on Tuesday night…
Massive reality check tonight, a few players slipped back into last years bad ways and we need to take the chances created #NUFC
— John Dixon (@DickoNortheast) November 29, 2016
Football, you win some and you lose some. We did enough to win tonight but simply couldn't find the last touch. Annoying but promising #NUFC
— Pete Brown (@TheTallLankyOne) November 30, 2016
Disappointed by the NUFC result. Too many players not at the races tonight. Difficult to win games when the GK/CF just don't perform #NUFC
— Dean Burns 💙 (@deanoburns) November 29, 2016
… yet some refused to be too downbeat, given that they are two points clear at the top of the Championship…
https://twitter.com/NuFcEvans/status/803748228017639424
I'm gutted but this season was never about a cup, we kept Rafa and we are top of the league you know it could be a lot worse #nufc
— Craig H (@craigh1307) November 29, 2016