Burton Albion vs. Liverpool: Score and Reaction from 2016 EFL Cup

Liverpool reached the third round of the English Football League Cup after helping themselves to five goals against Championship side Burton Albion on Tuesday night.

Divock Origi, Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge found the net for last season's finalists at Burton's Pirelli Stadium. Sturridge scored a brace, while Liverpool also profited from a Tom Naylor own goal as a strong Reds squad ran out comfortable 5-0 winners.

Sky Sports EFL confirmed both starting lineups. Liverpool's included new signings centre-back Joel Matip and wide forward Sadio Mane. The latter was dearly missed during the 2-0 Premier League defeat at Burnley over the weekend:

Meanwhile, Burton were counting on wing-back Lloyd Dyer and goalkeeper Stephen Bywater to keep their big-league opposition at bay.

The latter was soon called into action when Firmino stung Bywater's palms with a bullet header from an Adam Lallana cross in the 10th minute. Yet it didn't take long for the Reds to go in front.

Not surprisingly, it was danger man Mane who created the goal, skinning defenders on the right edge of the box before rolling a low cross for Origi to turn in from close range.

Sky Sports EFL showed the finish:

Meanwhile, OptaJoe confirmed how much Origi loves cup football since making his Liverpool debut:

It should have been two inside 20 minutes, but Lallana glanced his far-post header a whisker wide to waste a fine cross from Henderson. However, the Reds didn't have much longer to wait to double their lead.

The second came when right-back Nathaniel Clyne made a terrific run ending with an even better cross. His accurate delivery was met decisively by Firmino.

It was another close-range finish:

The Reds' prolific end product was a result of both quality deliveries, lightning pace and subtle, intelligent movement. In particular, Liverpool's overloading of wide areas was causing the home side a host of problems, with Dyer and Lucas Akins struggling to handle defensive chores on the flanks.

So there were simply too many opportunities for low crosses and pull-backs from the edges of the box.

The half ended with Mane still posing a threat. First, he couldn't quite reel in a through pass from Lallana, then he appeared to be clipped in the box moments later after another typically swift and direct break.

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It was 3-0 when Emre Can rose to meet a corner on the hour mark. His flicked header went in off unfortunate Burton defender Naylor.

Soon after, the home side actually fashioned a decent chance following the restart, when Akins raced clear before blazing his shot high and wide.

Still, Liverpool remained in firm control, and Klopp soon took advantage of the three-goal cushion to bring on Georginio Wijnaldum for Lallana and Sturridge for Firmino.

His final change came when Can went down with a non-contact injury. James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo described the state of things:

Youngster Kevin Stewart replaced the Germany international, even though Can was able to walk off under his own power.

Liverpool still dominated despite the number of changes, and a slick passing combination soon led to their fourth. A flowing move ended with James Milner arrowing a low shot to the bottom corner, one Sturridge committed himself to toeing over the line to make absolutely certain and get himself on the sheet.

Sturridge got his second only after more excellent work from Mane. The latter's pace and trickery gave Sturridge his chance, and the England striker took a composed touch before slamming home a fierce shot.

The club's official site noted how quickly Sturridge had made his presence felt:

There was another injury scare shortly after the fifth when Origi went down and eventually left the pitch to leave Liverpool a man short for the final five minutes. Concerns over Origi and Can are the only blot on the Liverpool copybook, though.

Naturally, Klopp was suitably impressed by what he saw, per Squawka News:

He also offered an update on Can's injury:

Klopp showed his intent in this competition with the strength of the starting XI he selected. In particular, it was Mane who really made the difference, producing the kind of quality that will make him Klopp's most consistent match-winner this campaign.

Armed with a squad made deeper by some smart summer buys, and buoyed by not having the extra workload of European football, the Reds have to be a strong contender to go one better and win this season's League Cup.