This archive report was first published on 22 September 2021.
Holders Man City Hit Six, Liverpool Cruise in League Cup ¶
Manchester City started their bid to lift a fifth successive League Cup with a 6-1 rout of Wycombe, while Liverpool's reserves managed to repeat their 3-0 victory at Norwich on Tuesday, September 21, 2021.
Manchester City, who gave debuts to six academy graduates, were stunned in the 22nd minute as Brandon Hanlan tapped in his first ever goal for third tier Wycombe. However, Pep Guardiola's men equalised seven minutes later when Kevin De Bruyne sprinted onto Phil Foden's pass and slotted into the far corner for his first goal since May.
De Bruyne's goal was followed by a flurry of strikes from Manchester City, with Raheem Sterling, Ferran Torres, and Riyad Mahrez all finding the back of the net. The holders made the perfect start to their mission, fielding a strong attack featuring De Bruyne, Foden, Sterling, Torres, and Mahrez at the Etihad Stadium.
Meanwhile, Liverpool's reserves, managed by Jurgen Klopp, made nine changes to the side which beat Crystal Palace on Saturday. The Reds' boss handed debuts to 16-year-old Kaide Gordon and fellow teenager Conor Bradley. Japan forward Takumi Minamino, making his first appearance of the season after a thigh injury, fired them into a fourth-minute lead as he drilled home from Divock Origi's header.
Minamino's goal was followed by a second from Origi in the 50th minute, heading in Kostas Tsimikas' cross for his first goal in 12 months. Minamino grabbed his second goal with 10 minutes left, netting in clinical fashion from close-range.
Other results from the League Cup included Everton's 2-2 draw with QPR, which the Toffees lost 8-7 on penalties. Watford suffered a surprise 3-1 defeat by second-tier Stoke at Vicarage Road. Southampton held their nerve to win 4-2 on penalties at second-tier Sheffield United after a 2-2 draw, while Leeds also survived a shoot-out, beating Championship team Fulham 6-5 after a 0-0 draw.
