Match ends, MK Dons 0, Liverpool 2.
MK DonsMilton Keynes Dons0LiverpoolLiverpool2
James Milner was hailed a "role model" by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp as the Premier League leaders beat MK Dons in the Carabao Cup, teeing up a fourth-round home tie with Arsenal.
Klopp named four teenagers in his starting line-up - including 16-year-old Harvey Elliott - but it was 33-year-old Milner's experience that ensured the Reds won their first game in the competition for almost three years.
Milner opened the scoring before providing the cross for 17-year-old Ki-Jana Hoever to score his first senior goal.
"This man is on fire," said Klopp, when asked about Milner's contribution.
"He is a real role model for young players. The team had a lack of experience and a lack of rhythm and the player with the most experience and rhythm was the best player."
A howler by keeper Stuart Moore set Klopp's much-changed side on their way against League One MK Dons.
Moore appeared to have Milner's fierce strike covered but the ball bounced off his chest and squirmed into the net in front of a club record 28,521 attendance at Stadium MK.
It was Milner's first goal in the competition since the 2010 final for Aston Villa against Manchester United.
MK Dons missed two glorious chances through Conor McGrandles and Sam Nombe, while Jordan Bowery hit the post in the second half before Hoever's powerful header sealed Liverpool's place in the last 16.
Elliott, one of three debutants in Liverpool's line-up, hit the bar twice - as well as missing another chance from close range.
Aged 16 years and 174 days, former Fulham midfielder Elliott made history as the youngest ever player to start a competitive match for Liverpool.
Youngsters impress as Liverpool progress
As well as Elliott, Klopp gave debuts to 20-year-old keeper Caoimhin Kelleher and 19-year-old forward Rhian Brewster, Liverpool's top scorer in pre-season.
Having been eliminated at the third round stage the previous two seasons by Chelsea and Leicester, Klopp still loaded his team with experience in the shape of Naby Keita, World Cup finalist Dejan Lovren, Milner, Adam Lallana and Joe Gomez.
It was a case of job done for the Reds as they avoided an upset despite a stirring second-half showing from MK Dons, who are 15th in England's third tier.
As well as hitting the woodwork, Bowery was twice denied by saves from Kelleher.
While Guinea midfielder Keita, fit again after injury, made his first appearance since the Community Shield last month, Elliott and 18-year-old Curtis Jones both gave Liverpool fans an exciting glimpse into the future with energetic performances.
It was at this stage of the competition last season, aged 15, that Elliott announced himself in Fulham's 3-1 win at Millwall.
In addition to striking the woodwork twice against MK Dons, the teenager produced a delightful curling cross for Milner who headed narrowly wide before the former England midfielder went on to open the scoring thanks to Moore's error.
Man of the Match - James Milner (Liverpool)
'I didn't enjoy it' - what they said
MK Dons boss Paul Tisdale said: "I was proud of the way we played and I'm disappointed we didn't score a goal.
"That is football. I regret not getting in at half-time 0-0, it was a position-based performance about keeping it tight.
"That wasn't to be but I thought it was a really good night - I didn't enjoy it myself but most people here would have enjoyed the game."
Line-ups
MK Dons
Formation 3-5-2
- 22Moore
- 2Williams
- 5Poole
- 4Walsh
- 25Brittain
- 29KasumuSubstituted forHoughtonat 61'minutes
- 18McGrandles
- 8GilbeySubstituted forBoatengat 72'minutes
- 11DickensonSubstituted forMartinat 45'minutes
- 9Bowery
- 27Nombe
Substitutes
- 1Nicholls
- 3Lewington
- 14Agard
- 16Martin
- 24Houghton
- 26Boateng
- 33Harley
Liverpool
Formation 4-3-3
- 62Kelleher
- 51HoeverSubstituted forvan den Bergat 90+2'minutes
- 12Gomez
- 6Lovren
- 7Milner
- 15Oxlade-ChamberlainSubstituted forKaneat 82'minutes
- 20Lallana
- 8KeitaSubstituted forChirivellaat 63'minutes
- 67Elliott
- 24Brewster
- 48Jones
Substitutes
- 22Lonergan
- 46Lewis
- 55Kane
- 68Chirivella
- 72van den Berg
- 75Longstaff
- 84Clarkson
- Referee:
- Oliver Langford
- Attendance:
- 28,521
Match Stats
Home TeamMK DonsAway TeamLiverpool
- Possession
- Home22%
- Away78%
- Shots
- Home10
- Away19
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away6
- Corners
- Home7
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home6
- Away7
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, MK Dons 0, Liverpool 2.
Post update
Foul by Pedro Chirivella (Liverpool).
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Conor McGrandles (MK Dons) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Liverpool. Sepp van den Berg replaces Ki-Jana Hoever.
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Harvey Elliott (Liverpool) hits the bar with a right footed shot from the centre of the box. Assisted by Adam Lallana.
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Rhian Brewster (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Russell Martin (MK Dons).
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Attempt missed. Callum Brittain (MK Dons) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Sam Nombe.
Substitution
Substitution, Liverpool. Herbie Kane replaces Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
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Offside, MK Dons. Callum Brittain tries a through ball, but George Williams is caught offside.
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Corner, MK Dons. Conceded by Dejan Lovren.
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Attempt blocked. George Williams (MK Dons) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
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Corner, MK Dons. Conceded by James Milner.
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Attempt blocked. Jordan Bowery (MK Dons) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Sam Nombe.
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Offside, MK Dons. Jordan Bowery tries a through ball, but Hiram Boateng is caught offside.
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Attempt saved. Jordan Bowery (MK Dons) header from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Hiram Boateng with a cross.
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Corner, MK Dons. Conceded by Harvey Elliott.
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Corner, MK Dons. Conceded by Dejan Lovren.
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Attempt saved. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Pedro Chirivella.
Comments
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You only have to read through the comments on here from the lfc fans to realise why they really are the most hated in the world. Arrogant, deluded, totally plastic and a disgrace to English football
Translated: Why can't my team be as good as Liverpool, I'm so jealous and don't know how to come to terms with my disappointment.
18 times league champions.
6 times European Champions.
Talk to us when you can match that.
??
YNWA
Liverpool put out the only team that they could put out, as they need their first 11 for every game. They have no strength in depth and that is why City will win the league.
You forget city, we're also good at putting city out of cup tournaments.
Another good day for Englands most successful and best loved team.(and possibly the worlds) ..
Luved, adored amd respected the world over... Cant buy class ??
Night night ??