Jürgen Klopp Hails Liverpool Youngsters After EFL Cup Win Over Leeds United

It took some time for Liverpool to overcome Leeds United and advance to the EFL Cup semi-final, but through the work of a young attacking trio, they earned a 2-0 victory.

First, 18-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered a superb near-post ball to a running Divock Origi, who slotted in the Reds' opener. Just five minutes later, Origi, a veteran on the pitch at 21, delivered an assist to 17-year-old Ben Woodburn.

It was Woodburn's first-ever Liverpool goal, and he surpassed Michael Owen to become the club's youngest goal scorer. After the match, Jürgen Klopp praised the play of the young Reds.

He joked that even he could have scored Woodburn's chance before lauding the attacker's potential.

"We know what Ben's capable of," Klopp said. "My first job is to make these players be their best. I am really happy for him, I am only worried about you [media] all getting carried away!"

Klopp lamented some of the chances Liverpool missed, but expressed overall satisfaction with the performance. And given the display, he said the team's youngsters have earned his trust.

"All the young boys did really well, in a very important game - a quarter final," Klopp said. "We make these lineups to win the game."