Bournemouth 1-3 Liverpool:

Reds show flashes of old to soar into Capital One Cup semi-finals

Liverpool progressed into the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup – where they will meet Premier League leaders Chelsea – with an accomplished victory against Bournemouth at the Goldsands Stadium.

Raheem Sterling’s brace and Lazar Markovic’s first goal for the club gave the Reds a commanding lead; before Dan Gosling’s powerful finish reduced the arrears for the Cherries.

The hosts came close to pegging Liverpool back further when Gosling’s ranging effort cannoned off the woodwork, while Sterling fluffed his lines when presented with a great chance for a hat-trick.

It was a deserved win for Brendan Rodgers’ side – their fourth away victory of the campaign – who showed signs of the Liverpool of last season, with slick passing and inventive movement a constant in their play throughout.

The Championship leaders who started the brighter as Callum Wilson poked his effort wide after a weaving run inside the Reds area, before Adam Lallana’s fizzing drive was clawed away by Artur Boruc.

But it was Liverpool who netted first after 19 minutes as Sterling nodded home his first goal since September to put Brendan Rodgers’ side in front. Lazar Markovic’s sweeping cross found Jordan Henderson, whose cushioned header back across goal fell into the path of the unmarked 20-year-old from six yards out who applied a composed finish.

Coutinho’s penetrating run and Bournemouth’s failure to clear their lines, led to the visitors’ second as Lazar Markovic’s lashed the ball past a flailing Boruc with a composed right-footed finish – his first for the club.

Yann Kermorgant should have halved the deficit a minute later, but the 33-year-old blazed over the bar from close-range, before Gosling saw his rasping effort blocked by Steven Gerrard. Sterling threatened to add Liverpool’s third with a blistering run into the heart of the Cherries defence, but was thwarted by the alert Boruc.

Liverpool’s third did come five minutes after the restart courtesy from Sterling’s accomplished second. Liverpool pinched possession in the middle of the pitch before releasing the England forward, who twisted and turned inside the box before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

But Liverpool’s defensive frailties were exposed ten minutes into a frantic second half, as Gosling fired the ball past Brad Jones to pull Eddie Howe’s side back into contention.

The former Everton midfielder eased into the Reds’ area unattended before drilling a low shot into the corner, squirting through the hands of Brad Jones in the process.

With wind in their sails, Bournemouth pressed for a second and came close when Ryan Fraser’s looping header bounced wide.

Yet Liverpool could, and should, have restored their three goal advantage when Coutinho’s trickery and Lallana’s inventive flick teed up Sterling for his hat-trick, but the former Queens Park Rangers youngster dragged his effort harmlessly wide.

And the Merseysiders were almost made to pay when Gosling rattled the post with a bending strike, before Matt Ritchie flashed across the face of goal with a follow up attempt.