It was an evening of positives for the Liverpool boss as Daniel Sturridge scored his first two goals of the season and Simon Mignolet kept a clean sheet; Can’s mystery ankle injury providing the only negative at the Pirelli Stadium.
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Mane, a £30m signing from Southampton in the summer, was making his first appearance since injuring his shoulder in training.
The early pressure paid dividends in the 14th minute, though.
A corner from James Milner was heading towards Emre Can at the back post but before the German worldwide could connect, Naylor diverted the ball into his own net from three yards.
The France worldwide was found to have been taking a banned substance – a fat burner – ahead of Liverpool’s Europa League last-16 clash with Premier League rivals Manchester United.
Sadio Mane (Liverpool) – He was forced to watch from the sidelines as his team failed to break down Burnley and the forward took his frustration out on poor Burton.
Adam Lallana should have done better with a far-post header but Liverpool soon had their second through Firmino, who glanced a header into the far corner after being found by Nathaniel Clyne.
Jurgen Klopp before the EFL Cup match between Burton Albion and Liverpool.
“It was down to us to get the result, down to us to go out there and improve on what we did at the weekend and we did that”. Mane adds so much to the Liverpool attack and his fitness will prove key this season.
And even though Liverpool could be in for more reinforcements before the end of the current transfer window, Mane is more than enough in the eyes of some of the fans. In the 61st minute, Emre Can’s flick on from a James Milner corner was heading wide until it struck the body of Naylor and beat his own goalkeeper.
It did not take long for Liverpool to double its lead.
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Liverpool’s comfortable win was marred by both Can and Origi picking up injuries, however, with the closing minutes seen out with 10 men.
