Reuters
London, Oct 29: Title-favourites Manchester United were dumped out of the League Cup Wednesday after losing on penalties to second-tier Middlesbrough who reached the quarterfinals having withstood a late onslaught to secure a 0-0 draw in extra time.
However, the day turned out to be great for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp who achieved his first win on English soil after the Reds defeated Bournemouth 1-0. In another game played on the day, Manchester City thrashed Crystal Palace 5-1.
Middlesbrough, who are coached by Spaniard Aitor Karanka, were clinical in the shoot-out as hosts United faltered with England internationals Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Ashley Young all failing to convert from the spot at Old Trafford.
Goals have been a priceless commodity for Liverpool this season and it was another nervy night as they scored in the first half through Nathaniel Clyne but could not add to their tally and were forced to hang on for the win.
Goals however, are rarely in short supply at the Etihad Stadium and City were ruthless as they brushed aside Palace with strikes from Wilfried Bony, Kevin de Bruyne, Kelechi Iheanacho, Yaya Toure (penalty) and Manu Garcia.
Man U became the latest high-profile casualty in the fourth round after Arsenal were knocked out by Sheffield and Chelsea beaten by Stoke City.
Middlesbrough thought they had scored in the second half when Daley Blind slammed the ball into his own net, only for an offside decision against Kike sparing the Dutchman’s blushes.
United should then have wrapped up the contest in extra time but striker Anthony Martial and midfielder Marouane Fellaini missed fantastic chances to head them in front.
“It’s very disappointing,” coach Louis van Gaal told reporters. “We have to solve this problem, we have to finish our chances. We didn’t deserve to lose.”
Klopp, on the other hand was facing the prospect of going a fourth game without a win since taking over at Liverpool three weeks ago. The German picked a youthful and much-changed side to face Bournemouth but the match had a familiar feel to it as Liverpool dominated possession and failed to carve out clear-cut chances.
The only goal came in the 17th minute when the impressive Roberto Firmino released Joao Carlos Teixeira. His back-heel was cleared off the line only for Clyne to follow up and sweep the ball home.
“My first win definitely feels better than a draw,” said a smiling Klopp. “We were dominant and got the win we deserved.”