Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's League Cup clash between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield. A spot in the quarter-finals is at stake tonight, while for Jurgen Klopp it is another chance to get his first win since taking over on Merseyside. Bournemouth could also do with a win following a poor spell of form, though, so it is an important night for both sides. Let's start with a look at the team news...

LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Bogdan; Clyne, Toure, Lovren, Randall; Allen, Brannagan, Teixeira, Ibe, Firmino; Origi

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Fulton, Skrtel, Moreno, Lucas, Lallana, Coutinho, Sinclair

BOURNEMOUTH STARTING XI: Federici; Smith, Distin, Francis, Daniels; Stanislas, Arter, MacDonald, Ritchie, Pugh; Kermorgant

BOURNEMOUTH SUBS: Allsop, Cargill, Cook, O'Kane, Tomlin, King, Rantie

What can we make of those two sides, then? Well, as expected and promised there are changes from Jurgen Klopp as he hands a few youngsters a taste of the first team, as is often the case in the League Cup. The likes of Randall, Brannagan and Teixeira have, at best, had limited exposure to the first team in the past, but they are all given a chance to shine tonight. It is certainly an experimental lineup to some extent, but Klopp will be hoping that the splashes of experience are enough to help see his side through.

The most experienced of the lot in there is Kolo Toure, who captains the side tonight alongside Dejan Lovren at the heart of the defence. Lovren was usually a starter during Brendan Rodgers's time in charge of the club, but Klopp has generally preferred Sakho so far and sure enough switches to his second-choice partnership for tonight's game. Clyne continues at right-back - one of just two players to keep his spot from the team that started against Southampton at the weekend.

There is a change between the sticks as summer arrival Adam Bogdan once again starts, just as he did in the last round when he proved to be the hero in the penalty shootout against Carlisle United. He will be hoping that tonight's game doesn't go the distance this evening, but it is an important chance for him to show Klopp what he can do. Further forward, Allen should help bring some calm and knowhow to what is a young and inexperienced midfield, and the former Swansea man could prove to be one of Liverpool's most important players this evening.

Firmino was a big-money signing for Liverpool during the summer but is yet to really hit his stride at Anfield, so he will be viewing this evening as a very important opportunity to show what he can do and perhaps earn a more regular starting role in the absence of the likes of Coutinho and Lallana, both of whom drop to the bench. Ibe broke into the first team last term and has shown signs of being a dangerous and exciting player, while there are also high hopes for Teixeira at the club. Origi once again leads the line with Benteke, Sturridge and Ings all still sidelined.

As for Bournemouth, the injury crisis that they are currently going through, coupled with the relative small size of their squad, means that rotation was less of an option for Eddie Howe this evening. Even so, he has made six changes in all from the side that was beaten at the weekend, the most significant of which sees Harry Arter return. The midfielder was brilliant for the Cherries in their promotion bid last season but has been injured so far this term. He has been reportedly on the brink of returning for some time now, so to finally get him back out there will be a big boost.

Like Liverpool, Bournemouth have made a change in goal as Adam Federici comes in as expected. That sees Artur Boruc lose his place in the side, and a good performance from Federici could even see him displace the former Southampton stopper in the Premier League starting XI too. Boruc has made a few high-profile mistakes already this season and was arguably culpable for as many as three of the goals Bournemouth conceded against Spurs at the weekend.

Smith is the only new face in the back four as Howe opts to retain the experience of Distin, despite the veteran needing to play a few games in the space of a week should he also be selected this weekend coming. Further forward, Stanislas is among those to come back into the side after he scored twice in the second-round victory over Hartlepool. There is no room for Gosling, however, despite him also scoring in that match and netting when these two sides met in the same competition last season.

Indeed, the only two midfielders to retain their place from the weekend are Pugh and Ritchie, the latter of whom gave Bournemouth a perfect start against Spurs with a goal inside the first minute. He certainly has the ability to test the inexperienced Randall on the flank for Liverpool, while he also hit the post in the league meeting here earlier this season. Yann Kermorgant is chosen as the striker tonight, joining Stanislas, MacDonald and Pugh in the starting XI as players who have already scored in this competition this season.

There is no doubt that Liverpool come into this match as favourites, but they have made a rather inauspicious start to life under Jurgen Klopp so far. The German arrived to much fanfare and, despite his insistence that he is no miracle worker, most people would have been expecting more than just three draws from his opening three games. Even so, he is trying to impress his philosophy onto the team in these opening weeks of his tenure and it is certainly too early to judge him just yet.

It may not be too early to judge Liverpool's season as a whole so far, though, and in a way Klopp's three games in charge have been a microcosm for their campaign so far. Draws have been the biggest problem for Liverpool of late, with an incredible five on the bounce coming into this one. Excluding penalties, the Reds have drawn seven of their last eight outings in all competitions and nine of their last 12, which is simply too many dropped points for a team hoping to challenge for the top four this season.

A positive spin on that form would be that Liverpool are actually unbeaten in their last nine games, but at the same time they have only won one of those inside 90 minutes. Indeed, they have only won three games in all competitions throughout the entire season so far, and that was a less-than-convincing 3-2 victory over a hapless Aston Villa side. That remains their only maximum points haul since August, which is a record that simply needs to be improved sooner rather than later.

It is a similar story at Anfield too. Liverpool have only lost one of their eight outings in front of their own fans this season, but they have drawn all of their last three 1-1 and been forced to share the spoils in five of their last six home games - again, simply not good enough for a top team. They have only won twice in their own back yard so far this term, with those wins coming against struggling sides Aston Villa and tonight's opponents by just a one-goal margin each time.

At the weekend they looked like they might snap that run of draws and give Klopp a first win in charge, but once again they failed to see out the match as Southampton earned a 1-1 draw late on. It was Klopp's first home league match in charge and, while the Saints had the better of the first half, Christian Benteke's introduction off the bench at half time made a big difference and the Belgian opened the scoring with a fabulous header. However, Mane's scrappy late equaliser put Klopp's celebrations on hold once again.

This is a trophy that has been kind to them down the years, though, and with Chelsea and Arsenal both going out last night, it is a good opportunity for the club to pick up their first piece of silverware since 2012 and a first trophy for Klopp too. They were far from convincing in the last round, though, needing penalties to get past League Two side Carlisle having only managed a 1-1 draw over the 90 minutes, despite having a staggering 47 shots on goal.

They reached the semi-finals of this competition last season before losing on aggregate after extra time to eventual winners Chelsea. They did beat Bournemouth on the way in that run, thouh, in addition to Middlesbrough and Swansea. They are now unbeaten in their last five home League Cup games, although they have only won one of those inside 90 minutes, needing extra time once and penalties twice.

There is certainly a glimmer of hope for Bournemouth tonight, then, and the fact that Liverpool's team is pretty much their second choice XI will give them even more cause for optimism. Things certainly aren't going too well for them in the Premier League right now, with the newly-promoted Cherries lingering just outside the relegation zone with just eight points from their first 10 games, so a cup run could prove to be a welcome distraction.

It must be said that Eddie Howe has been dealt a cruel hand with injuries so far this season. Bournemouth have lost their two big summer signings most likely for the rest of the season, with both Max Gradel and Tyrone Mings suffering ACL problems during the early stages of the campaign. Top scorer Callum Wilson is also sidelined for the vast majority of the campaign due to a serious knee injury, while captain Elphick is now likely to miss around two months with an ankle problem. Any team in the league would struggle losing so many key players, and Bournemouth would do very well to survive without them.

Even with their injuries, though, Howe will have been unhappy with his side over the last two matches. The Cherries had earned a fair few plaudits for their performances in the opening stages of the campaign, but they have been on the wrong end of consecutive 5-1 results now, conceding 10 goals in just two Premier League matches. In fairness, not many people would have expected Bournemouth to get something out of either game, but to be on the end of such a hiding twice in a row will hurt them.

The first of those 5-1 defeats was simply a case of being outclassed by Manchester City, even without Sergio Aguero. They did give goals away in that game, though, and that was a problem again last time out against Tottenham. As already mentioned, Boruc has arguably to blame for three of the goals as Harry Kane's hat-trick helped Spurs to a comfortable victory. A team in such poor form can't afford to gift the opposition goals like that, and Howe may be thinking about reining his team's style in a little in order to tighten things up.

That result made it no wins in five for the Cherries now, excluding penalties. The plus side for Howe will be that his team are still scoring and, if he can improve on what is the joint-worst defensive record in the league with 22 conceded, then he has the goals in his side to win more matches. Indeed, the last game they failed to find the back of the net in was their last visit here, 10 matches ago. They have scored 18 in those 10 games since, although they have failed to score more than one per outing since Wilson's injury.

Away from home Bournemouth are now winless in four, excluding penalties, and have lost four of their seven so far this term. The penalties exception did come in the last round of this competition, however, as they overcame Preston North End in a shootout following a 2-2 draw that saw both sides net in normal and extra time. Having not been involved in Europe, Bournemouth entered the competition in the second round, when they thrashed Hartlepool 4-0, also away from home.

Bournemouth have now won each of their last four away League Cup games following a run of six straight defeats without scoring prior to that, so they certainly seem to be finding their feet in this competition. The goals they conceded against Preston were the first on the road in the League Cup since August 2013, while last season they made it all the way to the quarter-finals for the first time in their history, only to lose to Liverpool 3-1.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at Anfield, which means that it is time for a prediction! Liverpool do not come into this match in great form, while their team selection will give Bournemouth extra hope, but the visitors can't seem to buy a win at the moment. They should make a decent game of it, as they did earlier this season at Anfield, but I can see Liverpool running out 2-1 winners for Klopp's first win at the helm.

Bournemouth have never beaten Liverpool before in their history, although the two sides have only net on seven occasions. The Reds have won five of those, including three in the past two years. Christian Benteke's dubious goal in the second game of this year's Premier League season proved to be the difference in their most recent meeting, but the two also came face to face in a couple of cup competitions during 2014.

The only previous League Cup meeting between the two sides came in December of last year, when two goals from Raheem Sterling and one from Lazar Markovic helped them to a 3-1 win. Liverpool also won 2-0 in the FA Cup earlier that year, with both victories coming at Dean Court.

There is also a huge disparity between these two sides when it comes to pedigree in this competition. Liverpool are the most successful side in the history of the League Cup with a record eight titles, the last of which came in 2011-12. Bournemouth, on the other hand, have won just one of their three previous League Cup fourth round matches, with that coming last season against West Bromwich Albion. However, the Cherries have never won an away League Cup game against top-flight opposition, losing 11 and drawing three of their previous 14 meetings. It is worth noting, though, that they have never been a top-flight team themselves during that time.

Right, we're just about ready to go at Anfield on a big night for both sides, but particularly for Jurgen Klopp. Chelsea await his side at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, and he would dearly love to go into that game with a win under his belt, particularly if it comes inside 90 minutes.

KICKOFF: Here we go then! Bournemouth get us underway as an acapella 'You'll Never Walk Alone' rings around the ground, and Liverpool are right on the attack straight away. Firmino has a shooting chance, but he drags his effort wide of the far post.

Good response from Bournemouth as they get forward down either flank and put crosses into the box, none of which come to anything.

CHANCE! Huge chance for Bournemouth to take an early lead as Allen is caught in possession inside his own half. Bournemouth immediately pour forward and they have numbers on Liverpool. The ball is slipped out to Stanislas, who cuts inside one defender but then is thwarted by a fine stop from Bogdan.

Eddie Howe will be pleased with how his side have started this match. They have seen plenty of the ball and created the only real chance so far, with Bogdan making that brilliant save with his feet.

Again Bournemouth come forward down the flank, this time winning a corner as Teixeira blocks the cross. Both he and Ibe will likely need to work very hard tonight, combining their pressing duties high up the pitch with tracking back.

A little better from Liverpool as they keep possession, but they are looking a little open when Bournemouth get the ball and could be prone to quick breaks from the visitors on the early evidence in this match.

This should be an interesting clash of styles between the two sides when Bournemouth have the ball. The visitors love playing the ball forward and getting on the front foot, while Liverpool are continuing to hurtle up on the defence when they have the ball.

Very good defending from Lovren at his near post as he comes across to thwart a low ball in towards the near post by Kermorgant.

SAVE! Liverpool's best moment of the match so far sees Firmino fire a thunderous effort towards goal from around 25 yards out. It looks like it could just be dipping under the crossbar, but Federici gets an important fingertip to the ball to divert it over.

Liverpool take the lead with 17 minutes on the clock! Origi does really well at the start of the move, spinning away from his man and driving down the right wing, with his pace outstripping the full-back. He slides a pass in to Firmino, who in turn pokes a through-ball in for Teixeira. The youngster brilliantly back-heels his effort past the keeper, only to see it hooked off the line. However, there is not enough on the clearance and Clyne is there to fire the rebound into the empty net for his first Liverpool goal.

CLOSE! Almost an immediate response from Bournemouth as Arter is afforded time on the edge of the box to drive one goalwards. However, his powerful effort flies narrowly past the post.

SAVE! Again Bournemouth come forward as Randall's slip allows Ritchie the space to get a cross away. His delivery takes a deflection on the way that falls kindly for Stanislas, but his header is well saved by Bogdan.

Bournemouth have responded really well to going behind here. They have taken control of the ball and created a couple of decent openings, with Liverpool unable to build on that lead.

It hasn't been the easiest start to life as a Liverpool first-teamer for Randall so far. The local boy is making his senior debut for the Reds, but he has looked a little out of his depth so far.

Bournemouth have actually had slightly more of the ball than Liverpool so far, which is not a stat we were used to seeing much during the Brendan Rodgers era. It is Liverpool who have got that all-important goal so far, and as things stand they will be heading into the quarter-final draw later this evening. Still a long way to go though.

Good play from Clyne as he gets around Smith and to the byline before sending his cross straight out of play. The referee has spotted a foul, though, and Liverpool have a free kick out wide just outside the box.

It is a really disappointing one for Teixeira, though, as he tries to play it low towards the front post but gives it straight to the wall.

Concern for Liverpool here as Kolo Toure goes to ground without an opposition player anywhere near him having made a mess of a defensive situation. It looks like it could be a hamstring injury and, if that is the case, it could be time for Martin Skrtel to enter the fray.

Toure does indeed slowly limp off the field, but Skrtel is not yet ready so, for now, Liverpool are down to 10 men. Randall has dropped into the middle of defence, with Ibe on the right.

LIVERPOOL SUB: There is the change as Skrtel replaces the injured Toure.

SAVE! Really bright play from Ibe as he races on to a loose ball down the right before taken on MacDonald on the byline. Bournemouth momentarily win the ball back, but a poor pass from Ritchie gives it straight to Firmino. He tries to bend one into the far top corner, but Federici is across to make a fairly comfortable save.

Pugh twists and turns his way into a crossing position against Randall, but having made the space well he wastes the chance with an overhit delivery.

Allen is a little fortunate to avoid a yellow card for a foul on Stanislas, but the danger is not yet over as Bournemouth have a free kick right on the left edge of the box.

SAVE! The angle was a tough one, but a shot towards the near post was on and that is exactly what Stanislas tries. Bogdan's starting position is good, though, and he is able to parry the ball away.

Less than five minutes remain in this half now and, while the scoreline is against them, Bournemouth will be fairly content with how things have panned out. They are very much still in this game.

Again Bournemouth come forward down the left flank, with Daniels carrying the ball into the Liverpool half before giving it to Pugh. He hangs a cross up towards the back post which Ritchie wins, but his header lacks the power to truly trouble Bogdan.

Mike Jones has been lenient so far tonight, keeping his cards on his pocket when he could have produced a few. He is at least consistent, however, and doesn't caution Arter for a poor tackle from behind on Origi here.

There will be a minimum of two minutes added time at the end of this first half.

CHANCE! Much better pressure from Liverpool as they come forward down the left. Bournemouth can't get the ball clear, with allows Ibe to dance his way to the byline and past a couple of blue shirts before picking out a cross. Origi can't get his head on it when it would have been a relatively simple finish, while moments later Teixeira fires one into the side-netting.

The first half comes to an end at Anfield, and it is the home side who have the lead at the interval. However, they haven't had things all their own way and, while both goalkeepers have had work to do, Adam Bogdan has been the busier of the two. It is finely poised going into the second half, but as things stand it will be the hosts in the quarter-final draw.

The only goal of the game so far came through the unlikely source of Nathaniel Clyne, who netted for the first time as a Liverpool player. It was a simple finish for the full-back, playing on the left tonight, with the hard work done for him by three of his teammates in the build-up. Origi and Firmino combined to set up Teixeira, who was very unfortunate to see his back-heel cleared off the line by Smith. The Bournemouth defender couldn't get enough on his clearance, though, and Clyne fired the rebound into the empty net.

The best chance of the match from a Bournemouth perspective arrived after just five minutes when Allen was robbed of possession in midfield, allowing the visitors a chance to break with numbers. Stanislas picked the ball up on the left side of the area before coolly cutting inside past Lovren, only for Bogdan to spread himself really well and thwart the chance.

It is Stanislas who has looked like Bournemouth's most dangerous player so far, but at the moment it is Bogdan who has come out on top in their personal duel. In addition to that early chance, the midfielder has also seen a header saved by Liverpool's stand-in keeper and a whipped free kick towards the near post also parried away by the former Bolton man. Bogdan's chances are likely to be few and far between as the second-choice keeper, but he is taking it again tonight.

As for Liverpool, Firmino has been their standout outfield player so far, coming close with a vicious effort from just outside the area that Federici had to tip over the top. He has tested the Bournemouth keeper on another occasion too, and his general play has been causing the visitors problems. It has certainly been one of his brightest displays for Liverpool so far.

KICKOFF: Bournemouth get us back underway at Anfield looking to save their League Cup campaign in the upcoming 45 minutes. Can Liverpool see this one out, or will the visitors get back into it?

CLOSE! Bournemouth win an early corner in this second half, and MacDonald rises really well at the back post, planting a header towards the bottom corner. It has Bogdan worried as he scrambles across, but the ball bobbles a yard or so wide.

There was a hint of a penalty shout for Bournemouth during that corner, with Brannagan having a fistful of MacDonald's shirt as the Bournemouth man rose for the header. The referee appeared to have a good view, though, and he decided not to blow up. You rarely see penalties given for that, but it was a risk from the Liverpool youngster.

Ibe has caused plenty of problems down the right flank and he gets on the end of a nice Firmino flick round the corner to threaten again. That one comes to nothing, but another sublime touch from Firmino keeps the attack alive before Liverpool win another throw.

Liverpool have had 67% possession at the start of this second half, which is a far cry from the beginning of the first half. They will be desperate for the second goal that they haven't been able to find often so far this season, though.

No chances to speak of in the last few minutes as the frustration continues to build for Bournemouth. It might not be too long before Howe looks to his bench here.

CHANCE! Huge chance for Liverpool as their pressure on the ball, which has been almost constant tonight, finally pays off. Pugh plays himself into trouble as Firmino nips in to steal possession, finding himself clean through on goal as a result. He never looks entirely confident, however, and ends up dragging his shot wide of the far post.

Again Liverpool win the ball back in the Bournemouth half and look to push forward, with Randall an unlikely attacker up there. Origi tries to slip a square ball to the full-back, but he is bundled over by Stanislas and the referee waves play on.

Decent shooting chance for Bournemouth as a ball through the middle allows Arter to turn and move towards goal, but his effort is blocked by Skrtel.

YELLOW CARD! The card finally comes out and it is Allen on the receiving end. It was a fairly rash attempt at the tackle, although he did slip a little. MacDonald was able to get out of the way and there was no contact, but it isn't Allen's first offence tonight so you can see why the referee has cautioned him.

Again it is Ibe and Firmino who threaten here as the duo link up down the right channel. The former does well to sort his feet out and get a shot away, which deflects into the path of Firmino. However, the Brazilian is off balance and slices a wild effort a long way wide.

LIVERPOOL SUB: Jurgen Klopp makes his second change of the night, and it is Brannagan who makes way to a good reception on his home debut. Lucas Leiva comes on in his place.

He is stopped by Francis on this occasion, but when Origi turns and runs at defenders he does look dangerous. His pace is clearly a threatening attribute, but he hasn't used it enough during his time at Liverpool so far.

Just over 20 minutes remain for Bournemouth to force extra time or perhaps score twice and get the win inside 90 minutes, but in truth they haven't looked like breaking through this Liverpool defence since the opening stages of this second half.

BOURNEMOUTH SUBS: A double change for the visitors here as Kermorgant and Arter both make way to be replaced by Joshua King and Lee Tomlin.

Randall was looking a little shaky in the first half, but he has improved since the break, largely because he has had more chance to get forward. He is clearly growing in confidence and wins a corner for his side here having linked up with Ibe.

Liverpool are looking the most likely to get the game's second goal right now, but as the clock ticks by they could start getting more and more jittery. They have really struggled to put games to bed so far this season, and again they have been unable to do so thus far tonight.

SAVE! Lucas hasn't scored many during his time at Liverpool, but he unleashes a thunderbolt from range here. There is plenty of power behind the strike, but it is a relatively easy one for Federici to beat away.

Again Randall gets forward down the right, this time latching on to a through-ball from Lucas. His pull back is cut out, but it was more bright play from the full-back.

YELLOW CARD! MacDonald is the first Bournemouth man to go into the book for a foul on Allen that has gifted Liverpool a free kick in a very dangerous position. What can they come up with here?

SAVE! It is in an almost perfect position for a free kick, but Teixeira opts to hit it towards the goalkeeper's side. He strikes it well enough, but Federici is able to parry it away.

BOURNEMOUTH SUB: A third and final change for the visitors as Tokelo Rantie replaces Stanislas in a final throw of the dice for Eddie Howe.

Bournemouth win a free kick just inside the Liverpool half and the delivery is a good one into the box. King rises to meet it in between two red shirts, but his connection is poor and it doesn't threaten Bogdan's goal.

SHOT! A couple of Bournemouth players get in each other's way twice in quick succession, but the ball breaks kindly for Rantie. He moves across the pitch before going for goal, but his strike is always heading over the top.

LIVERPOOL SUB: Liverpool's third and final change of the evening sees Adam Lallana replace Firmino, who receives a standing ovation on his way off the field.

Jurgen Klopp is just one minute plus stoppage time away from his first win as Liverpool boss, and his side have managed the closing stages of this game really well. Bournemouth have barely had a sniff in the second half, and still it is Liverpool who look most like scoring.

Indeed, they come close to a winner here as they break forward with three against three. Lucas is involved down the right and sends a low cross into the near post, but it is just too far in front of Origi sliding in as Federici collects.

There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this match. Can Bournemouth force an additional 30 minutes?

SAVE! Bournemouth aren't quite out of this one just yet! It is brilliant play from Ritchie as his first touch takes him into the box and creates space to shoot. He lashes an effort towards the near post, but Bogdan is there to turn it behind for a corner.

Liverpool do hold out in the closing stages to give Jurgen Klopp his first win in the Anfield dugout and also seal their place in the quarter-finals of a competition that has been so kind to them down the years. Nathaniel Clyne's first-half goal proved to be the difference, and it has to be said that Liverpool deserved their victory. It was an even first half in which Bournemouth had their chances, but Liverpool controlled much of the second and emerged victorious. Again, they managed just the one goal, but this time it was enough.

That is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's League Cup clash as Liverpool reach the last eight with victory over Bournemouth - their second 1-0 triumph over the Cherries this season. I will lave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction from both camps. News of the quarter-final draw will filter through at the conclusion of all of tonight's games, so stick around to see who gets who in the last eight. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!