Reds crisis mounts after first-round cup exit

SECOND-HALF Leicester goals from Shinji Okazaki and Islam Slimani sent Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool out of the Carabao Cup at the first hurdle.

The Reds dominated the first period in the Midlands but were unable to find a way through and substitute Okazaki fired in a 67th-minute opener before Slimani lashed home a second 12 minutes from time to send the Foxes through.

Jurgen Klopp’s side, who have now gone four games without a win, were not the only Premier League team to exit inside 90 minutes as Stoke and Huddersfield both fell to away losses at Bristol City and Crystal Palace.

The Potters were undone by two goals in 10 second-half minutes from Famara Diedhiou and Matt Taylor, while Roy Hodgson earned his first win as Palace boss thanks to Bakary Sako’s first-half header.

Dele Alli’s 65th-minute winner ensured Tottenham saw off Cham- pionship club Barnsley at Wembley while West Ham eased past second-tier opposition Bolton 3-0.

Paul Clement’s Swansea also made into the last 16 as Alfie Mawson and Jordan Ayew struck in the second half of their 2-0 success at Reading.

Patrick Bamford bagged a brace as Middlesbrough won 2-0 against 10-man Aston Villa and Norwich’s Mario Vrancic also netted twice in their 3-1 victory at Brentford.

Three ties went to extra-time and Burnley’s home clash with Leeds had to be determined by a penalty shoot-out which the Whites won 5-3.

Bournemouth claimed a home victory over Brighton for the second time in five days as Josh King steered in a winner nine minutes into extra- time.

Bristol Rovers, the only League One club involved on Tuesday night, exited at the hands of Wolves thanks to Bright Enobakhare’s 98thminute winner.