Team
There were six changes to the starting XI for Liverpool, while Wataru Endo and Ekitike bolstered the bench by returning from fitness issues.
Liverpool: Mamardashvili, Gomez (Konate, 59), Van Dijk, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister (Nyoni, 88), Chiesa (Ekitike, 59), Jones, Gakpo, Robertson, Frimpong (Wirtz, 59), Ngumoha (Gravenberch, 73).
Unused subs: Alisson, Endo, Kerkez, Ramsay.
First half
Liverpool were grateful to not find themselves behind 30 seconds into the tie.
Phillips curled an inviting cross from the right flank that Davis Keillor-Dunn met with a crisp header at goal that looked to have Giorgi Mamardashvili beaten but bounced out off the near post.
The League One outfit’s bright start continued with a counter-attack after Joe Gomez was robbed of the ball on the halfway line, before Nathanael Ogbeta flashed a cross-shot off target from a narrow angle.
In response, the Reds took the lead from a moment of exquisite quality.
Alexis Mac Allister fed a pass across the pitch to Szoboszlai, slightly left of centre and more than 25 yards out. The Hungarian unleashed a stunning, dipping effort inside the left post that Murphy Cooper could not get near.
