Liverpool analysis from St Mary’s as the Reds beat Southampton 2-1 in the Carabao Cup quarter-final.Liverpool supporters have had to wait a long time to see Federico Chiesa in action.
They enjoyed brief glimpses back in September, but an untimely injury and struggles with the intensity required had left him sidelined ever since.But finally, against Southampton in the League Cup, he was deemed ready to make his long-awaited comeback. Unsurprisingly, after so long out, his 45-minute showing was full of ups and downs.
The Reds will take the positives though, with the forward’s return of three shots the joint-most on the pitch – level with Darwin Nunez. On another day, the Italian opens his Liverpool account, having twice seen efforts cleared off the line.
He first shot across goal past Alex McCarthy after being played in by Diogo Jota, before later cutting in from the left and powering a fierce strike past the shot-stopper.
The latter set up a lively finish from the forward, but in truth, he was quiet in between.
His introduction had freed up Harvey Elliott to fully move into midfield after starting on the right. Making his first start of the season, the 21-year-old would mark the occasion with a well-taken goal.
But he looked much more comfortable in the engine-room, with Arne Slot admitting after the game that Elliott is a better midfielder than winger and prefers to be more involved in the thick of the action.
With Mohamed Salah afforded a rare night off, the pair offered glimpses in the final third without matching the Egyptian’s ridiculous levels on the right.But, at the same time, they followed his example. After all, it was only a few weeks ago when the 32-year-old pointed out that he doesn’t need to be at his best for a complete 90 minutes, providing he makes the most of game-deciding moments.
Following a quiet start, Elliott did exactly that when delivering the would-be winner. It is understandable why neither the England Under-21s international or Chiesa were at their best after lengthy absences, and perhaps glimpses of talent in the final third is enough.
But it reiterates just how hard it will be for Liverpool to find a successor for their world class Egyptian King when the time comes, whenever that might be.
It was only a few weeks ago at Southampton when Salah made headlines about his future, making a rare mixed zone appearance to admit he wanted to stay put at Liverpool but was disappointed at having not yet received a formal contract offer.
As things stand, his current deal still expires at the end of the season while he will be free to discuss a pre-contract agreement with overseas club in just two weeks’ time.While the Reds returned to ‘the scene of the crime’, Salah was understandably nowhere in sight.
But even if he had been called upon at St. Mary’s, there would have been no repeat post-match performance with it made clear before kick-off that no Liverpool players would be able to stop in the mixed zone. There was a flight back to Merseyside to catch.But by returning to Southampton so soon after Salah’s comments last month, Liverpool were inadvertently handed a fresh reminder regarding the ongoing uncertainty around his future.
Endo leads by exampleWataru Endo could have easily left Liverpool in the summer. The Reds rejected a bid from Marseille and, had they been successful in their pursuit of Martin Zubimendi, would have perhaps been willing to sacrifice the Japan international.Their failure to sign the Spaniard would prove to be a blessing in disguise, given Ryan Gravenberch’s renaissance as a number six. But so too has been the decision to retain Endo.
An experienced head in Slot’s squad, the midfielder will not have played anywhere near as much as he would have liked so far this season. But he was a much-needed presence as a much-changed and inexperienced side reached the League Cup semi-finals.
Having seen Gravenberch flourish as a hybrid centre-back/number six against Fulham following Andy Robertson’s red card, the Japanese was tasked with a similar role against the Saints in a response to Liverpool’s defensive shortage.
While not a straight-forward night by any means, he rose to the occasion and, finishing the night as captain, certainly led by example.Endo is now well-aware of his role in the squad. And while surely not satisfied, is making the best of it, never complaining, with the Reds benefitting as a result.
Meanwhile, the Japanese’s outing in defence, freed up Slot to hand Trey Nyoni his first ever Liverpool start. It was against Southampton when he made his debut in the FA Cup back in February, with the Saints proving to be landmark opponents.The 17-year-old started brightly, passing the ball around and carrying it forward well. It was a testament to his ability that he did not look like a teenager making their first start, with his team-mates never wary of giving him the ball.
As Slot made changes at the break, withdrawing his more-used stars, Nyoni ultimately suffered as Southampton took control.
A reminder that as talented as he is, he is still just a fledgling.But make no mistake, as eyes focused on 16-year-old Rio Nguomoha, on the Liverpool bench, it is the former Leicester City midfielder that remains the Reds’ brightest starlet.
