Daniel Sturridge scored a goal on either side of the interval in Liverpool’s fourth-round EFL Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur as the Reds scraped though 2-1 late on Tuesday.

The talented striker, who has bundles of talent but never truly remains injury-free, scored contrasting goals to send the hosts into a two-goal lead before Spurs clawed one back to set up a nervy finish.

Both sides made a host of changes from their Premier League outings on the weekends, with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp sending out a completely overhauled starting XI.

A mix of first-team fringe players such as Simon Mignolet, Alberto Moreno, Lucas Leiva started along youth prospects like Trent Arnold, Kevin Stewart, Oviemuno Ejaria and Divock Origi.

For Spurs it was a similar story as Michel Vorm, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies, Vincent Janssen mixed it up with the likes of Tom Carrol, Georges Nikoudou, Joshua Onomah and Cameron Vickers.

It was young Nikoudou’s unfortunate slip that gave Liverpool the vital breakthrough on the night, allowing Marko Grujic to send in a cross-shot into the Spurs box which was toed home by an alert Daniel Sturridge.

Less than 10 minutes into the game and Liverpool had a lead which got the Anfield crowd really going.

It took them over 50 minutes to score the second, as the visitors put up a valiant display, looking for a goal of their own.

Spurs were understandably pressing hard for an equaliser and as a result left themselves exposed at the back in the second period.

Georginio Wijnaldum, returning from injury, released Sturridge with a perfectly weighted through ball and the striker’s cool finish between the legs of Vorm gave the delighted Klopp some food for thought on whether he should start in the Premier League on the weekend.

Erik Lamela won Spurs a soft penalty which Janssen dispatched with ease in the 76th minute to set up a nail-biting finish but Liverpool resolutely defended to progress to the next round.

The hosts, in fact went close to scoring another goal, as Daniel Sturridge’s deflected shot from just inside the box beat Vorm but hit the bar to deny the striker a hat-trick.

It seems there is nothing Liverpool and their manager Jurgen Klopp can do wrong, proving their doubters wrong as they truly emerge as one of the teams to watch this season.

For Spurs the loss could prove to be a silver lining as they are competing in the Champions League and the Premier League as well, which could prove exhuasting for their squad.