Liverpool have been left stranded in Bournemouth as Storm Ciaran wreaks havoc on their travel plans. The Reds secured a 2-1 victory at the Vitality Stadium, though their preparation for their match against Luton Town on Sunday may now be impacted due to the bad weather.
Jurgen Klopp’s side booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night as they secured an impressive victory over Bournemouth. Cody Gakpo opened the scoring for the Reds in the 31st minute when he was on hand to scramble the ball past goalkeeper Andrei Radu after a scramble in the penalty area.
The Cherries then hit back in the 64th minute through summer signing Justin Kluivert. The Netherlands international was left unmarked at the back post to head home from close range after an inswinging corner from Alex Scott.
Darwin Nunez then restored Liverpool’s lead just minutes later with a goal worthy of winning any match, curling a sensational strike into the top corner after cutting in from the left wing. Klopp will be ecstatic with the nature of his side’s victory, though the German boss won’t be best pleased with the implications of Storm Ciaran has had on Liverpool’s travel plans.
According to the Liverpool Echo, the Reds side were set to travel back to Liverpool on Wednesday night but their flight has been cancelled due to the severe wind and rain. It is unclear whether Klopp’s side intend on waiting it out in Bournemouth or amend their method of transport to ensure that they can return to Anfield as soon as possible.
Liverpool are set to face Luton at Kenilworth Road on Sunday in a match that they will feel that they should win if they are to assert themselves as title contenders, though despite being strong favourites, Klopp will be keen to ensure that his side are not ill-prepared for the clash.
Speaking after the Bournemouth victory, the former Borussia Dortmund boss said: “It’s a top, top, top, cup game. It’s all about winning, it’s all about getting through. There were good things today, I don’t have to speak about the circumstances [because] you saw it yourselves. It was really difficult for both teams.
“First half we could have scored more goals, we didn’t. Second half obviously we realised it would have been a good idea to have scored more goals [in the first half] because the wind changed the game again in the second half. We scored our second goal, a wonderful goal and then we fought extremely hard, we had good moments but it is all about attitude in these moments. Both teams wanted it, everybody can expect that from the home team, but I saw my team as well – how hard we really wanted it and I am really happy about that. It was a top cup game in strange, strange circumstances.”
