The League Cup has left much to be desired in recent years but this season's quarter-finals certainly delivered.

Indeed, Tuesday saw Liverpool edge out a hardworking Leeds side at Anfield - the Whites' first visit in 13 years - and Championship outfit Newcastle United take Hull City all the way to a penalty shootout.

Last night, meanwhile, Manchester United produced one of their most convincing performances of the season so far, ripping apart West Ham in a 4-1 win, and Southampton recorded a small upset at the Emirates Stadium, progressing to the semi-finals with a 2-0 victory.

Amid an increasingly intense Premier League, the League Cup has become the likeliest source of game time for promising youngsters at England's biggest clubs.

That was certainly the case this week as pretty much every manager - barring Jose Mourinho - peppered their XI with a handful of young talent eager to impress.

With that in mind, here's a look at five starlets who lit up this week's League Cup action.

Ashley Fletcher

He may have capitalised on an uncharacteristic error from David De Gea but Ashley Fletcher deserves plenty of praise for staying alive in the box during a 90 minutes in which he was incredibly isolated as West Ham's lone front-man.

The youngster did his best to run the channels and stretch out a well-organised Manchester United defence but inevitably failed to have much of an impact after the first-half strike due to a lack of service.

Nonetheless, the 21-year-old took the bold step of leaving the Red Devils for the Hammers in the summer in search of first-team football and has ended up on the Old Trafford pitch far sooner than if he'd stayed.

And with Slaven Bilic facing a strike-force crisis, Fletcher has proved he's at the very least capable of finding the net if given opportunities.

Harrison Reed

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was full of praise for the Southampton academy set up in his pre-match notes and Harrison Reed proved him right with a fine display in the engine room.

Whilst fellow academy graduate Sam McQueen also impressed, proving himself capable as an attacking option as well as a full-back, it was the holding midfielder who stood out most as Claude Puel's side claimed an unexpected 2-0 win at the Emirates.

Sitting in front of the back four, he was crucial in breaking up and stifling the host's waves of attacks and linked well with both Steven Davis and goalscorer Jordy Clasie ahead of him when moving forward.

The 21-year-old finished up with six tackles, the most of any player on the pitch, and a passing accuracy of 85%. We've already alluded to Southampton's ability to nurture young talent and Reed could be the next prospect to solidify himself in the first team.

Courtesy of Shoot's @JackRosser7

Kemar Roofe

Kemar Roofe may be the oldest player on this list at the age of 23, but the relatively young attacking midfielder made a real difference against Liverpool and deserves a mention.

In a weakened Leeds side, he was their biggest threat and likeliest route of getting on the scoresheet, hitting the bar from long range with a fantastic dipping curler.

He finished the match with four efforts at goal - the most of any player from either side - one created chance and two successful dribbles to his name, illustrating the impact he had between the midfield and the forward line.

Better famed for his exploits with Oxford United, the former League Two man showed he's capable of having an impact against Premier League opposition - which certainly bodes well for Garry Monk's promotion plans.

Alex Iwobi

Arsenal were on the receiving end of a 2-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, partly due to their inability to produce something special in the final third.

Nonetheless, Alex Iwobi was arguably the only Gunners attacker to make a difference against Southampton, producing two shots, two created chances and four successful dribbles - alongside three tackles to demonstrate his contribution off the ball.

Arsene Wenger would perhaps have been hoping for a little more from the 20-year-old, who was capable of taking on more responsibility in a weakened Arsenal line-up.

But the Nigerian winger still demonstrated quality against Premier League opposition and produced more evidence of progression. This time next season, Iwobi could be one of the first names on the team sheet.

Trent Alexander Arnold

Ben Woodburn's record-setting goal may have grabbed the headlines but it was fellow youngster Trent Alexander Arnold who made the biggest difference against Leeds United, combining well with Saido Mane to create constant problems on the overlap.

The 18-year-old has the energy and dynamism to cope with Jurgen Klopp's high pressing philosophy and in addition to showing some fantastic touches going forward, he was rarely caught out by leaving space behind.

His night was summed up by a superb assist for the opening goal, a dainty near-post cross to Divock Origi, and although Klopp may want to see more evidence of his abilities defensively (Leeds left winger Stuart Dallas didn't test him too much), the teenager is certainly nipping at Nathaniel Clyne's heels in the right-back pecking order.