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There are awkward assignments in the lower league opposition and then there are displays. Liverpool made their trip to Lincoln the latter with a procession of exquisite finishes that will lead Arsenal to Anfield in both the Premier League and the Carabao Cup next week.
The talented Curtis Jones and the hardworking Takumi Minamino scored twice for Liverpool to enter the fourth round and what will be the third meeting of the season with Mikel Arteta’s team.
Lincoln had had an excellent start to the campaign with four wins and one draw, but the gap between League One and even a makeshift Liverpool team was immediately apparent.
Lincoln reached two outstanding finishes before building an attack of his own. Jürgen Klopp’s collection of seasoned youngsters, an inexperienced youngster, a new signing, seasoned squad players and Virgil van Dijk were so dominant that they used the cup tie for target practice.
Xherdan Shaqiri auditioned first with an impressive free kick after a foul on Jones. The intention was clear when the Swiss international measured the set piece near the corner of the penalty area, but Alex Palmer could not prevent it from flying into the upper corner under the bar.
Shaqiri, in his second Liverpool appearance since January after injury, hit the ball with such power and precision that Lincoln’s wall and goalkeeper were rendered irrelevant. The exhibition was underway.
Van Dijk’s surprise inclusion was due to a dearth of central defensive options, Klopp explained. But there was method in thought. Joining him was Rhys Williams, 19, who spent last season on loan at Kidderminster Harriers. There could be no better guide to Williams’ debut and neither of them were overworked on the night. Van Dijk was replaced by Fabinho at half-time without breaking a sweat.
Liverpool received the second from Lewis Montsma, the Dutch model / Lincoln defender who missed a punt that ultimately fell to Minamino, who swept a delicious shot around Palmer from 20 yards.
Lincoln’s first goal attempt came with the draw already past them, Adrian flipping James Jones’ angled shot.
The other Jones on display, Curtis, showed them how to really finish. Divock Origi headed Williams’ raked ball into the path of the Liverpool midfielder, who got in the way inside Harry Anderson before launching another unstoppable shot into Palmer’s left corner.
Minutes later he repeated the trick, picking up Elliott’s pass and stepping away from Jorge Grant before sending a similar effort past Lincoln’s keeper with the help of a detour. The second half brought little respite for the hosts. Only 20 seconds had elapsed when the Liverpool press broke Lincoln’s attempt to play from behind. Palmer saved Elliott’s feet as he ran to score, but the rebound sent Minamino rolling in his second of the game.
Lincoln has the credit that being beaten 5-0 at home sparked a reaction and not a deeper collapse. Adrian saved Anthony Scully point-blank and Eyoma opened horribly with only the goalie to get past Grant’s free kick.
Tayo Edun grabbed the first goal of Lincoln’s response when he received a cross from Scully inside the box and placed a fresh shot inside the bottom corner. Liverpool quickly regained their five-goal lead when a cross from new signing Diogo Jota was cleared in the way of Marko Grujic.
The Serbian midfielder, who has spent the last two seasons on loan at Hertha Berlin, shot home in a packed area, although Palmer should have done better.
Montsma headed a second for Lincoln as Adrian completely missed Grant’s corner kick to the back post and the defender soared above Fabinho to score below the bar.
Origi completed the score in the last minute with a powerful shot after Minamino led a quick counterattack.
