Complacent Liverpool fight back in extra-time to beat Notts County 4-2

Daniel Sturridge celebrates the second goal during the Capital One Cup second round match between Liverpool and Notts County at Anfield on August 27, 2013 in Liverpool, England. (Getty Images)

Liverpool found themselves on the ropes on Tuesday evening after a solid first half performance quickly deteriorated when Notts County found themselves level in the second half.

Two excellent goals from Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge in the first 45 minutes looked to have already bagged a confident Liverpool side the win, but with complacency setting in Notts County were rewarded for their hunger and pushed the tie to extra time.

With three injuries for Liverpool and all their subs used after Kolo Toure went down, the Reds were left with nine men, thankfully though another goal from the brilliant Sturridge and an awesome solo goal from Jordan Henderson ensured Liverpool would progress to the next round.

With Manchester United to face on Sunday, many fans were surprised by the strength of the team fielded by Brendan Rodgers, I found it admirable that the boss was taking this competition seriously, but I was also assuming that the likes of Sturridge and Gerrard would leave the field at some stage, this didn’t happen though.

A total of 28 shots from Liverpool indicated that they should have comfortably had the tie wrapped up early on but the woodwork was hit on several occasions and chances were sometimes wasted.

It didn’t take long at all for the home side to get the scoring underway when Sterling took on the County defence with real confidence. His finish was also enviable and it was brilliant to see Sterling back in the starting line up.

Shortly after the goal for Liverpool, things began to take a turn for the worse when new signing Aly Cissokho appeared to twist his ankle. He tried his best to stay on the field but the injury was too painful and so he was replaced by Daniel Agger. Despite the early forced substitution Liverpool still kept their momentum.

For the remainder of the first half the Reds retained the majority of possession, creating chances but failing to convert until Sturridge found the back of the net with another fantastic goal. A perfect ball through from captain Gerrard allowed Sturridge to comfortably finish with a powerful strike, his signature dance followed and had nearly everyone in Anfield smiling as the Reds looked as though they were going to turn this into a rout.

The second half would prove very different for the home side though and it was Notts County who were first on the score sheet this time. A free-kick from Mark Fotheringham found its way on to the head of Manny Smith, who headed across goal to find the head of Yoann Arquin, who rose well to put the ball past a slightly delayed hand of Simon Mignolet.

It was quite evident that if County did manage to find a goal then they would relish the excitement. It’s perhaps a bit cliché to say but the smaller teams in this competition will always have that underlying hunger and so to have scored at Anfield with 30 minutes of full time left it was clear Notts County were now going to capitalise on this situation as much as they could.

Shortly after the goal, another injury for Liverpool meant that Joe Allen had to be replaced with Jordan Henderson entering play. At this point most fans were still assuming the last substitution would see Sturridge leave the field in preparation for Sunday’s clash with Manchester United but this wasn’t the case. Luis Alberto was the last change; he was replaced with Coutinho at just after 70 minutes.

As the second half went on Liverpool had lost nearly all of their hold on the game, Notts County had increased their possession stats and in turn increased their confidence, they certainly felt as though they could find an equaliser whilst at this stage the Reds seemed happy to try and keep hold of the 2-1 lead and get this game done with.

With seven minutes left to go, Notts County had their efforts rewarded. A well worked lead up to the goal saw a cross reach Adam Coombes, who struck past Andre Wisdom and Mignolet to level the game. The Reds now had extra-time to contend with if they couldn’t find a late, late winner.

Efforts from Sturridge, Agger and Gerrard were not destined to change the scoreline and so Liverpool were now faced with another 30 minutes of football, with a practically full strength side and with United looming in their heads for Sunday.

Jordan Henderson celebrates after scoring their fourth goal during the Capital One Cup second round match between Liverpool and Notts County at Anfield on August 27, 2013 in Liverpool, England. (Getty Images)

Shortly into extra-time, cult hero Kolo Toure was taken off the field on a stretcher after sustaining a groin injury. With 10 men left and the majority of extra-time left the task had become even harder for Liverpool but they never gave up and eventually that man Sturridge found the back of the net once again.

Sturridge put enough power on his diagonal strike to force the County goalkeeper into a mistake, the ball should have been stopped but instead it was allowed to trickle into the net. Liverpool had now regained the lead and surely they wouldn’t let this slide?

To further stamp their authority and prove their Premier League class the Reds finished off the night with a cracking solo goal from Henderson. After picking up the ball from Ibe in midfield, Jordan ran directly at the encroaching County back line, with a sublime little slip of the ball through the defender’s legs he then reconnected slotting the ball round the keeper and into the back of the net, all in the blink of an eye.

Liverpool had now cemented their place in the next round. It may have been untidy but it was a win and that’s all that matters. Both sides also had penalty claims to contend with which I failed to mention (busy game) but the referee was having none of it from either side though I feel both had cases.

Liverpool have their name in the hat but will it be detrimental to their flowing league start?