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Bournemouth logo
League Cup | Quarter-Finals
Dec 17, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Liverpool logo

1-3

Gosling (57')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Sterling (20', 51'), Markovic (27')

Live Commentary: Bournemouth 1-3 Liverpool - as it happened

Relive Liverpool's 3-1 victory over Bournemouth as the Reds progress into the semi-finals of the League Cup at Dean Court.
2

Liverpool booked their place in the semi-finals of the League Cup with a 3-1 victory over Championship leaders Bournemouth this evening.

Raheem Sterling netted either side of Lazar Markovic's first goal for the club to give the Reds a three-goal lead approaching the hour mark.

Dan Gosling pulled one back for the hosts and also hit the woodwork, but the Reds held on to make it into the hat for the last four.

Find out how an entertaining clash unfolded at Dean Court courtesy of Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute coverage below.


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Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's League Cup quarter-final between Bournemouth and Liverpool at The Goldsands Stadium. These sides will be in contrasting moods coming into this match, and it really is set up to be an intriguing affair. Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have already booked their places in the last four, and one of these teams will join them in the hat tonight. Let's start with a look at the hosts...

Despite being a division below Liverpool, many people are giving Bournemouth a chance tonight given their vast improvement under Eddie Howe. The young manager has worked wonders with his side and surpassed all expectations during his reign so far, posting a sensational win percentage of 51%. Last season was considered a success for the Cherries when they made a late push for an unlikely playoff berth, and they have just gone from strength to strength since then.

Indeed, they come into this match having moved to the top of the Championship table at the weekend, and this could well be a Premier League fixture next season the way things are going. It is all very tight at the top of the table, with just four points separating the top six, so Howe will know that a bad run of form could see them easily slide out of the playoff places, but so far they are showing no signs of hitting such a slump.

They come into this game having not been beaten in their last 12 matches, a superb run of form that included a streak of seven wins in a row at one point. That came to an end with three consecutive draws, but they have returned to winning ways now with victories in their last two. They have not lost a match since September, when fellow promotion candidates Derby County beat them 2-0.

Their last game was an instant classic as they ran out 5-3 winners in a great match against Cardiff City, scoring inside the first minute and then again in the 89th to ensure the victory. Things got a little bit nervy for them at one point as Cardiff fought back to 4-3, but the Cherries showed good character to hold on and then secure the points late on through Callum Wilson. When it comes to the form book, Bournemouth will certainly be the most confident of these two sides tonight.

Despite Liverpool being a Premier League team, they will also be confident that there are goals in this game for them. They have already put eight past Birmingham this season, helping them to 44 goals in 21 Championship outings - a tally that makes them the top scorers in the division. Only one team in the top seven has conceded more than them, but they have enough firepower to outscore the majority of the teams they come up against. Indeed, that is what puts them at the top of the table right now, with their goals scored tally being better than Middlesbrough's, who have the same amount of points and same goal difference as the Cherries.

The fact that they are coming up against a team from the top flight is even less likely to concern them given that they overcame Premier League opposition in the last round. West Bromwich Albion were dispatched 2-1 in the last round, with Wilson bagging a late winner to send Bournemouth through to their first ever League Cup quarter-final. The own goal for West Brom in that match was the first time they had conceded in this competition this season, with comfortable victories over Exeter, Northampton and Cardiff preceding it.

Unsurprisingly for a team in such good overall form, their recent record at home has also been impressive. They are without defeat in their last eight home games since September 16, when Leeds were victorious at Dean Court, winning six and drawing two games since then. The home fans are likely to make it feel like a real cup atmosphere during the match, and the home advantage could well tilt the match in their favour slightly.

They will certainly feel that there aren't many better times to play Liverpool, with the Reds enduring a miserable time of things so far this season. Optimism was high at the start of the campaign given how good they were last season and how close they came to winning the title, but the loss of Suarez to Barcelona and Sturridge to injury have really hurt Brendan Rodgers side, and they simply haven't found a way to cope yet.

There have been quite a few low points already this season, but this week has probably been the worst of the lot so far. They saw their return to the Champions League ended in the group stages when they could only manage a draw against Basel at Anfield on Tuesday, while Sunday saw them beaten comfortably by their fiercest rivals Manchester United. Should they lose again tonight then, in the space of eight days, they would have been eliminated from two cup competitions and lost to the one team they hate losing to most.

That United match was a strange one for Liverpool, as on another day they could have won the game despite ultimately losing it by three goals. They created the chances and, you'd have to think that with Sturridge available, they would have taken enough of them to at least avoid defeat. However, some inspired goalkeeping from David de Gea mixed with some poor finishing meant that they couldn't take any of their goalscoring opportunities. Rodgers said after the match that it was a positive how creative they were, but they missed the cutting edge in the final third and also made too many mistakes at the back.

Steven Gerrard and teammates look dejected after Manchester United's second goal during the Premier League match on December 14, 2014© Getty Images


As a result of that defeat, plus victories for the likes of Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool now find themselves in the bottom half of the table approaching the midway point in the campaign. They have lost more games than they have won, and have already been beaten more times than they were throughout the whole of last season. They currently lie equidistant between the top four and the bottom three, which is simply not good enough by the club's own high standards.

I've already mentioned Bournemouth's potent attack, but they were be helped by Liverpool's leaky defence tonight. The Reds have conceded 22 times in their 16 matches in the Premier League so far this season, and only Merseyside rivals Everton have let in more outside the bottom six. Rodgers will go with three at the back again tonight, as he did against United, and it will be interesting to see how the underfire defenders cope with a buoyant Bournemouth here.

They haven't exactly been convincing in this competition so far either. Balotelli and Lovren have been two players who have received a lot of criticism since their summer moves to the club, but they came up with the goods in the last round with a late goal apiece to complete a dramatic turnaround against Swansea at Anfield. Not even that drama could match the events in the third round, however, as Middlesbrough twice equalised late at Anfield to forced penalties, before Liverpool eventually ran out 13-12 winners following a historic shootout.

This is their first away game in the competition this season, though, and that doesn't bode well for Rodgers given their form on the road. They have only won three of their 11 away outings in the current campaign, drawing one and losing no fewer than seven in all competitions. They have also only kept one clean sheet in that time, although their record away from home in this competition is a lot better. They have won seven of their last eight League Cup games on the road, but their most recent one saw them lose 1-0 to Manchester United last season.

TEAM NEWS: The teams are in for both sides, and Rodgers has named a strong side, as expected. He sticks with the 3-4-3 formation and no recognised striker as Sterling is again expected to lead the line. Toure, Lucas and Markovic are the only changes, replacing Johnson, Allen and Moreno. Bournemouth, meanwhile, make six changes for the side that beat Cardiff at the weekend, but Callum Wilson is not one of them. Full teams for both sides coming right up...

BOURNEMOUTH STARTING XI: Boruc; Francis, Elphick, Cargill, Smith; Ritchie, O'Kane, Gosling, Stanislas; Kermorgant, Wilson

BOURNEMOUTH SUBS: Camp, Cook, Daniels, Arter, MacDonald, Fraser, Pitman

LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Jones; Toure, Skrtel, Lovren; Henderson, Gerrard, Lucas, Coutinho; Lallana, Sterling, Markovic

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Mignolet, Lambert, Sakho, Moreno, Manquillo, Can, Borini

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, for starters it is a bit of a surprise for Eddie Howe to make so many changes to his side, with Bournemouth expected to name their strongest XI tonight. They have no injury concerns, but Howe has opted to give the likes of Cook, Daniels, Arter, Surman and Pugh rests. That could hint that his priority is on the league, but the players he has brought in certainly still have the quality to test Liverpool.

One player who Liverpool will need to be particularly wary of is Callum Wilson, who has been in fine form up front for the Cherries so far this season. He has shot to the top of their scoring charts and got another goal to clinch the points against Cardiff at the weekend. Kermorgant also scored in that game, which is enough to see him come into the side, while Ritchie, who found the net in the opening minute, retain his place. Arter and Pugh were the other two names on the scoresheet, but they are not even on the bench tonight.

Bournemouth have something of a League Cup specialist in Dan Gosling. Liverpool fans won't remember the midfielder fondly after he scored the winning goal against them while playing for Everton in the FA Cup a few years ago, and he will fancy his chances of hurting the red half of Merseyside again tonight. He has got four goals and an assist in Bournemouth's four League Cup games this season.

As for Liverpool, it is notable that Brad Jones continues between the sticks as expected. The keeper was surprisingly drafted into the side for the match against Manchester United and didn't exactly perform well. He could have done better for at least two of the goals, although none of them were solely his fault. He was also expected to play tonight, but Rodgers has confirmed that Mignolet has been dropped "indefinitely", so Jones could well find himself with an extended run in the first team now.

You sense that this is a huge match for Lovren, who has come under intense scrutiny since his summer move from Southampton. His role in United's third at the weekend certainly didn't help matters, and there is no doubt that he has been disappointing so far considering how much Liverpool spent on him. Toure, who comes into the back three tonight, has actually been one of Liverpool's best players over the last month or two, so they will be glad to get him back, but things still seem far from perfect in defence for the Reds.

Lucas Leiva comes into midfield for Liverpool tonight, and that is quickly developing into a bit of a problem area for the Reds. Henderson was put into a right wing-back role against Manchester United and didn't take to the position well, while Gerrard is struggling to consistently perform at the level we know he can. The same applies for Coutinho a little further forward, with the Brazilian showing flashes of his brilliance but nowhere near often enough.

Perhaps the player who has suffered most from Liverpool loss of form has been Raheem Sterling. The youngster looked unplayable when Liverpool were sweeping all before them last season, but now he looks short of confidence and doesn't seem to believe that he can score. He squandered a whole host of chances against United on Sunday and, while De Gea had a very good game, the Liverpool man certainly could have been more ruthless with his finishing and, if he had been, then it could have been a different game. You feel that he needs Sturridge to come back to take some of the defence's focus off him.

Liverpool's English midfielder Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, northwest England, on August 17, 2014© Getty Images


PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes away from kickoff at Dean Court, which means that it is time for a prediction! This really is a tough one to call, despite the divisional gap between these two sides. Bournemouth are in sensational form and, with home advantage, will really fancy their chances of causing an upset tonight. Liverpool, meanwhile, are low on confidence and could well be there for the taking. However, this could be make or break for Rodgers, so expect the visitors to fight. Any outcome would not be too much of a surprise tonight, but I'm predicting that this one will go all the way to penalties...and then Liverpool win in the shootout.

Bournemouth have never actually beaten Liverpool in a competitive match, but this will certainly be their best chance of doing so yet. They have met just five times before, with Liverpool winning three and the remaining two ending all square. They met as recently as January in the fourth round of the FA Cup here at The Goldsands, and Liverpool emerged victorious on that occasions courtesy of goals from Victor Moses and Daniel Sturridge.

The contrast of pedigree in this tournament is huge too. This is already Bournemouth's best showing the competition, reaching the last eight for the first time, while Liverpool are the most successful team in League Cup history. They have lifted the trophy a record eight times, the most recent of which came in 2011-12. Incidentally, that was also the only other year in the last seven that Liverpool have reached this stage of the competition.

Liverpool haven't often been the subject of upsets in the League Cup in recent years, winning seven and losing none of their last 10 League Cup games against lower ranked sides inside normal and extra time. Bournemouth, meanwhile, generally struggle against sides above them in the league ladder, with their victory over West Brom in the last round being their first over a higher ranked team in 17 League Cup matches.

There is one other League Cup quarter-final taking place tonight, and it is an all-Premier League affair as Tottenham host Newcastle at White Hart Lane. You can follow our live coverage of that match by clicking here, while I will also be keeping you up to date with major events from North London as and when they happen. The draw for the semi-finals, meanwhile, will take place after this match tonight.

KICKOFF: Here we go then! Bournemouth and Liverpool look to join Chelsea and Sheffield United in the semi-finals of the League Cup as the visitors get us underway on a huge night for both sides at Dean Court.

Bright play from Smith as he drives forward down the left before playing the ball through the legs of Gerrard and beating another defender. His shot is blocked, but the hosts have certainly tried to start this match on the front foot here.

CHANCE! Huge chance for Bournemouth to break the deadlock early on. Gosling fizzes a pass into the middle and it is chested down for Wilson, who knocks it beyond Skrtel before poking it past Lovren too. He only has Jones to beat, but his finish is poor as he passes it a few yards wide. What an opening, and Bournemouth wouldn't have wanted it to fall to anyone else.

SAVE! At the other end Liverpool almost take the lead in style. Lallana picks the ball up in midfield and unleashes a fine left-footed strike from 25 yards. His effort appears to be swerving into the top corner, but Boruc produces a stunning save to tip it over the bar.

Another sight of goal for Liverpool as Sterling tries to take it down the left, eventually squeezing the ball back for Gerrard on the edge. It is at an awkward height for the skipper, but he gets over the ball well and fires a fine volley towards the top corner, only to see it well blocked.

That early chance for Bournemouth threatened to shake Liverpool, but they have responded well and are looking like the better team right now, keeping the ball well and probing for gaps in the final third.

Bournemouth are still looking dangerous themselves, however, and they threaten again on the break here. A pass is slipped inside the right channel for Francis, who stands the ball up into the middle. However, Toure is there to make the clearance.

Bournemouth have been called into making a few important blocks already tonight, and they make three in quick succession here. Sterling, Coutinho and Lucas all had the chance to shoot, but the defenders threw themselves in the way of them. The efforts all looked goalbound too, so they were important blocks.

Lallana looks to catch Boruc off guard with a snapshot, picking up the ball just outside the box and swinging a left boot at it as it dropped on the volley. However, he didn't catch it right at all and it trickles well wide for a goal kick.

Clever play from Coutinho has he flicks a Toure pass around the corner and looks to get on the end of it on the other side, only to be blocked off by Smith. The referee awards the free kick, but Bournemouth deal with the danger well.

Shouts of 'Keep the ball' are coming from the touchline whenever Bournemouth have it, and that is what they need to do more of right now. They have struggled to maintain possession for a decent length of time so far, which is allowing Liverpool to ask most of the questions going forward.

UPDATE: The deadlock has been broken in the other quarter-final tonight, and it is the hosts Tottenham Hotspur who have got it from an unlikely source. Nabil Bentaleb is the man on the scoresheet, making it 1-0 against Newcastle at White Hart Lane.

GOAL! Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool (Raheem Sterling)

Sterling missed plenty of chances at the weekend, but he has taken this one tonight. It is a lovely team goal from Liverpool, who knock the ball about patiently for a long time before making the breakthrough. They finally found a way past the defence when the ball was floated over to Henderson as the back post, and the midfielder nods it back across goal for Sterling to glance it into the far corner.

It must be said that Liverpool deserve their lead. They have been in control of the game and, while there were concerns that their poor form and Bournemouth's great recent run would make things tricky for them, it has very much looked like a Premier League vs. Championship contest so far. That could be a huge goal for Liverpool, both in terms of tonight and the next few weeks.

That goal could also be huge for the confidence of Sterling, who had looked so short of self-belief in recent weeks. The missed chances against Manchester United must have been weighing heavy on his mind, so that finish will come as a huge relief for him.

There were 52 passes in that Liverpool move, and that is indicative of how they have kept the ball so far in this match. Bournemouth have really struggled to get hold of it, which is allowing Liverpool to control things right now.

GOAL! Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool (Lazar Markovic)

Liverpool double their advantage, and it is a first Liverpool goal for Markovic. The winger starts things off with a clever pass down the left channel for Coutinho, who draws a save from Boruc at the front post. The ball drops to Markovic, who keeps his composure to place the rebound home through a crowd of bodies.

CHANCE! Huge chance for Bournemouth to hit back straight away! Again it comes down the right flank as the ball is pulled back into a very dangerous area. Kermorgant is in space inside the box and simply has to score, but he blazes his effort over the crossbar. That really should have been 2-1.

How big a moment could that have been for the Cherries? The two-goal margin threatens to make things even more comfortable for Liverpool, who have strolled through this game for the most part so far. Things could have been so much different had Wilson and Kermorgant finished those chances though.

It must be said that Bournemouth aren't usually this wasteful in front of goal. They have scored in all of their home games so far this season and, with Liverpool so shaky at the back in many games already, they will be confident of keeping that record today. They need to get the next goal, though.

For Liverpool, this is all about game management now. They haven't been great at that at times this season, so this will be a different test to the one they may have been expecting. They have passed the ball very well so far, and all they need to do right now is continue in the same fashion and they should win this match.

The danger for Bournemouth now, of course, is that they have to chase the game against a side who can really hurt them on the break. The hosts haven't been drawn out of their own half much when Liverpool have the ball, but that will have to change the longer it remains 2-0.

It was Raheem Sterling who got Liverpool on their way in this match, and here is a shot of him celebrating his opening goal with his teammates.

Raheem Sterling of Liverpool celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Capital One Cup Quarter-Final match between Bournemouth and Liverpool at Goldsands Stadium on December 17, 2014© Getty Images


Better from Bournemouth in the last few minutes. They have their best spell of possession, knocking the ball about inside the Liverpool half and probing for a way through. They win a corner which falls to Gosling, but his goalbound strike is well blocked by Gerrard right in front of Jones. That one looked like it was heading in.

Incredible pace from Sterling as he bursts down the left channel and into the box. He looks to have just got a yard on the last defender, but Boruc is also quick off his line and smothers the attempted prod towards goal.

Bournemouth will be encouraged a little by the way they have finished this half. Liverpool have not been able to dominate possession as much as they were doing, and the hosts have made more ground in the Liverpool half since they fell two goals behind.

The fourth official indicates a minimum of one minute added time.

HALF TIME: Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool

That's all for the first half at Dean Court, and it is Liverpool who go into the break with a two-goal cushion over Championship leaders Bournemouth. Things are looking a lot brighter for Brendan Rodgers and his side now than they were before kickoff courtesy of a much-improved display so far this evening. This one is certainly not over yet, though, and the Reds still have a tricky job to do in the second 45.

The opening goal came from Raheem Sterling, who missed so many chances against Manchester United at the weekend. It was a 52-pass move from the visitors, who have been impressive in possession all game so far. It ended with Henderson getting on the end of a lofted ball towards the back post and nodded it across the face of goal for Sterling to glance his header past Boruc and into the far corner.

Markovic then doubled the advantage shortly before the half-hour mark with his first goal for the club, and it was a smart finish from the winger. He slid the ball down the left channel for Coutinho, who drew a save from Boruc at the front post. The ball bounced back to Markovic on the edge of the box, and he placed it into the far corner through a crowd of players.

There was an interesting moment in the build-up to that second goal, with Elphick stopping mid-attack after apparently hearing a whistle. It did sound like there had been a whistle from somewhere, but it must have come from the crowd as the referee certainly didn't blow. However, that moment of hesitation from Elphick allowed Coutinho the space to shoot, which ultimately led to the goal.

Bournemouth have had their chances, however, and while Liverpool have been the better team on the whole, the hosts could easily be level had they shown the same clinical touch that they have done for the majority of the campaign. Wilson squandered a clear chance very early in the game when he skipped past Skrtel and Lovren, only to pass his shot wide from inside the box. The best opportunity for the visitors fell to Kermorgant shortly after Liverpool's second, however, as he fired an effort over the top from a glorious position.

Liverpool have certainly responded well to their disappointing week, and although this match is coming against Championship opposition, it has been one of their best displays of the season so far. Even so, Bournemouth came back into the match a little towards the end of the half, and if they get the next goal then it will be very much game on. Liverpool could get nervous in the second half too considering their recent form, so Bournemouth will be eager to take advantage of that if possible.

KICKOFF: Bournemouth get us back underway for the second half, and there has been a change at the break for the visitors. Lovren has picked up an injury and makes way to be replaced by Mamadou Sakho - his first appearance since the third round of this competition.

UPDATE: What a start to the second half for Tottenham! They double their advantage just a minute after the restart courtesy of a Nacer Chadli strike. It is now 2-0 to Spurs at White Hart Lane.

GOAL! Bournemouth 0-3 Liverpool (Raheem Sterling)

Liverpool add a third, and surely it is game over now. Toure gets his side on the front foot with a pass forward to Lallana, who spins on it and plays the ball through to Sterling. The youngster has Elphick lined up in a one-on-one, and he turns the defender inside out before slotting it into the bottom corner. Cool finish from Sterling, if only he could have done that at Old Trafford!

CLOSE! Liverpool go in search of a fourth, and it is Markovic who tries to bend an effort into the far corner, However, having opened his body up to get the shot away, he sends it a yard or so past the post.

BOURNEMOUTH SUBS: Double change for the hosts as they look to salvage something from this game. Harry Arter and Ryan Fraser replace Kermorgant and Stanislas.

Decent chance for Liverpool to break away as Markovic nips in to win the ball before racing at the opposition defence. Sterling makes a good run towards the left, but Markovic instead chooses to pick out Gerrard. However, the pass forces the skipper out wide, and his subsequent cross is cleared.

Liverpool are looking really dangerous every time they come forward right now. The pace of Sterling and Markovic is causing Bournemouth problems, and the visitors look more likely to add a fourth than Bournemouth do to pull one back at the moment.

GOAL! Bournemouth 1-3 Liverpool (Dan Gosling)

What was I just saying? Bournemouth pull a goal back having shown composure inside the box for the first time tonight. It is good play from Ritchie down the right as he gets into a crossing position and pulls the ball back for Gosling. The former Everton man takes it in his stride, beats a man and then fires it under Jones, who probably should do better despite seeing it late. Game on, perhaps?

Liverpool should still see this one out, but it will certainly be an interesting test of their character right now. Bournemouth would have got a little more belief from that goal and, while Liverpool have looked confident so far tonight, doubts would begin to creep into their minds should Bournemouth pile the pressure on.

Silly play from Liverpool as, with three Bournemouth attackers in the close vicinity, Jones plays a short pass to Skrtel instead of clearing it upfield. Skrtel is rushed into a clearance of their own, which raises the volumes levels inside the stadium again. It was needless for the visitors to hand the hosts encouragement like that there.

Markovic has enjoyed a good game this evening, and it has been capped off by his first goal for the club. Here he is placing the rebound home from the edge of the box. It was a lovely finish.

Lazar Markovic of Liverpool scores his team's second goal during the Capital One Cup Quarter-Final match between Bournemouth and Liverpool at Goldsands Stadium on December 17, 2014© Getty Images


CLOSE! Again some careless play at the back hands Bournemouth the initiative, with Jones slicing a clearance and inviting pressure on his side. Bournemouth attack and play the ball to the back post for Fraser, who loops his header narrowly past the far post. Wilson was not far away from bundling that one home either.

UPDATE: Tottenham are now surely in the semi-finals having extended their lead to three goals against Newcastle at White Hart Lane. Harry Kane has got yet another strike to make it 3-0 in North London, and they look like joining Chelsea, Sheffield United and - as things stand - Liverpool in the last four.

CHANCE! The visitors have a chance to make that semi-final place even more likely, but Sterling produces a finish much more like the ones we saw on Sunday. Coutinho cuts the ball back for Lallana, who brilliantly disguises a flick to the unmarked Sterling at the back post. The youngster has time to pick his spot, but gets his effort all wrong and drags it wide.

OFF THE POST! Bournemouth are inches away from pulling another goal back and making this one really interesting. Smith cuts inside from the left flank and slides a pass in to Gosling, who takes a touch before curling a lovely strike off the post with Jones beaten. The chance is not completely gone, but Ritchie then pulls his effort wide of the far post. So close for the hosts!

That has really encouraged the home fans again, and Liverpool may need to weather the storm here. Another goal in the next 10 minutes would make things very uncomfortable for Liverpool, who were coasting in this game until Gosling's strike.

UPDATE: There has been a fourth goal for Spurs, and you know that it is a good day for them as even Roberto Soldado has got on the scoresheet! The Spaniard makes it 4-0, and their place in the semi-finals is looking a lot more secure than Liverpool's right now.

LIVERPOOL SUB: The visitors make their second change of the night in an attempt to stem the tide, with Emre Can replacing Coutinho in the middle of the park.

Liverpool are doing what they need to do right now, just containing the hosts and preventing them from building any serious momentum. They need to keep that up for the next 10 minutes, though, otherwise Bournemouth will have plenty of time to push for the two goals they need.

Liverpool have played with confidence for the majority of this match, and Sterling has epitomised that with a much more assured display in front of goal than he showed at Old Trafford. He has two for the night, and here he is celebrating the second:

Raheem Sterling of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's third goal with team mates during the Capital One Cup Quarter-Final match between Bournemouth and Liverpool at Goldsands Stadium on December 17, 2014© Getty Images


Bournemouth are keeping possession very well at the moment, but Liverpool are happy to let them have the ball as long as the possession comes in front of the defence. They are looking organised now and let the hosts have an effort from range that fizzes a yard or so over the top.

BOURNEMOUTH SUB: A third and final change for the hosts as Brett Pitman replaces O'Kane for the final 10 minutes or so.

Time is running out for Bournemouth now, and they could well be left rueing those two glorious chances that they squandered in the first half. You'd think that they need a goal in the next couple of minutes if they are to have enough time to force the additional 30 minutes.

Even if Bournemouth don't pull off the comeback in these late stages, which is beginning to look increasingly unlikely, they can be happy with their performance in this match so far. Liverpool were the better side in the first half, but it has been quite even in the second, with the hosts arguably being the better since they pulled a goal back.

Poor play from Markovic as he tries to flick the ball inside, which is needless at this stage of the game. It gifts possession back to the Cherries, and only a Skrtel block prevents Fraser from getting a shot away.

SAVE! Emre Can concedes a free kick in a dangerous crossing position, which allows Bournemouth the chance to get the centre-backs forward. The first delivery goes all the way through, but the second is met by Cargill, who plants a tame header straight at the keeper.

LIVERPOOL SUB: The visitors make a late change as Gerrard departs to be replaced by Fabio Borini for the closing stages of this match.

The fourth official indicates a minimum of three minutes added time at the end of this match.

SAVE! Bournemouth are still looking for a goal to make the final moments interesting, but this is an easy one again for Jones. Ritchie cuts inside and drills a low strike towards goal from just outside the box, but the keeper is down in good time to make the stop.

FULL TIME: Bournemouth 1-3 Liverpool

Mark Clattenburg brings an end to proceedings here at Dean Court, and it is Liverpool who progress into the semi-finals of the League Cup, joining Chelsea, Sheffield United and Tottenham Hotspur in the draw. Raheem Sterling got a brace to help them towards the victory, while Markovic also got his first goal for the club. Gosling pulled one back for Bournemouth and also hit the post for the hosts, but it wasn't enough as Liverpool held on for an important victory.

Right, that is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was a pressure-relieving victory for Liverpool as they book their spot in the last four of the League Cup with a 3-1 victory over a spirited Bournemouth side. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction from both of tonight's games, as well as news from the draw, which is coming right up. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!

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Raheem Sterling of Liverpool scores the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at White Hart Lane on August 31, 2014
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