Reds & United face-off looms
– Manchester United will host Liverpool in an FA Cup quaterfinal blockbuster after the bitter rivals took contrasting routes to their fifth round victories on Wednesday.
United eased the pressure on beleaguered boss Erik ten Hag as they scraped through with a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest thanks to Casemiro’s late goal.
Fresh from their League Cup final triumph against Chelsea on Sunday, Liverpool relied on their youngsters again in a 3-0 win against second-tier Southampton at Anfield.
Chelsea bounced back from their painful 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at Wembley, snatching a 3-2 win against Championship promotion chasers Leeds to book a last eight date with Leicester.
After Liverpool’s ball boys paraded the League Cup around Anfield prior to kick-off, Juergen Klopp’s kids gave another glimpse into a bright future as two of their young guns inspired the win.
With Liverpool ravaged by injuries to Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Alisson Becker among others, Lewis Koumas, the son of former Wales and West Brom midfielder Jason Koumas, marked his debut with the opening goal in the 44th minute.
The 18-year-old forward drilled a fierce low drive that deflected in off Southampton’s Jack Stephens.
Jayden Danns, another 18-yearold offspring of a former player – his father Neil starred for Crystal Palace – netted Liverpool’s second in the 73rd minute with a composed finish that belied his tender age.
James McConnell, 19, and Bobby Clark, 19, also impressed for Liverpool, who introduced 16-year-old Trey Nyoni to become their youngest ever FA Cup player in the second-half.
Danns capped the victory in the 88th minute when he lashed home in front of The Kop.
“We don’t take these things for granted,” Klopp (above) said of facing United.
“The situation is horribly difficult. We have too many games and not enough players, but it was a top performance.”
The FA Cup represents United’s last silverware chance this term.
At Stamford Bridge, Mauricio Pochettino will have felt similar relief to Ten Hag.
Elsewhere, Wolves beat Brighton 1-0 at Molineux, with Mario Lemina’s goal securing a home tie against second-tier Coventry.
Holders Manchester City will host Newcastle in the remaining last-eight tie. –