Liverpool’s Young Guns Impress as Tottenham Are Beaten at Anfield

Liverpool’s Young Guns Impress as Tottenham Are Beaten at Anfield Liverpool 3–1 Tottenham – EFL Cup Post-Match Report By Steven Smith Liverpool returned to winning ways at Anfield with a deserved 3–1 victory over Tottenham in the fourth round of the EFL Cup, with Andoni Iraola making several changes and handing opportunities to several younger players. some frustration of a draw with Fulham, a reaction was required and the Reds provided one. This was not a perfect performance, with Tottenham enjoying 56 per cent possession and registering 17 shots compared with Liverpool’s 12, but there was considerably more energy, purpose and determination from Iraola’s side. Most importantly, several players given an opportunity showed exactly why competition for places needs to be increased. The Starting Eleven Liverpool XI GK – Giorgi Mamardashvili RB – Jeremie Frimpong CB – Joe Gomez (c) CB – Ronald Araújo LB – Milos Kerkez CM – Alexis Mac Allister CM – Trey Nyoni CM – James McConnell RW – Rio Ngumoha LW – Cody Gakpo CF – Lewis Koumas Substitutes Used Jérémy Jacquet → Joe Gomez (45’) Ryan Gravenberch → Trey Nyoni (62’) Dominik Szoboszlai → James McConnell (62’) Bradley Barcola → Rio Ngumoha (72’) Alexander Isak → Lewis Koumas (86’) Goals Liverpool 1–0 Tottenham – Alexis Mac Allister – 21’ Liverpool 2–0 Tottenham – Cody Gakpo (Alexis Mac Allister) – 54’ Liverpool 2–1 Tottenham – Conor Gallagher (Mateus Fernandes) – 69’ Liverpool 3–1 Tottenham – Dominik Szoboszlai (Cody Gakpo) – 90+1’ Match Statistics Possession – Liverpool 44% | Tottenham 56% Total Shots – Liverpool 12 | Tottenham 17 Shots on Target – Liverpool 5 | Tottenham 6 Fouls – Liverpool 15 | Tottenham 11 Corners – Liverpool 5 | Tottenham 9 First Half The first half was a much more encouraging response from Liverpool following the disappointment against Fulham. Iraola made significant changes, with Joe Gomez captaining a side containing Trey Nyoni, James McConnell, Lewis Koumas and Rio Ngumoha, while Cody Gakpo was moved into a wide attacking role. Tottenham started with intent and Mamardashvili was called upon early, producing an excellent save to keep the scores level. Liverpool gradually grew into the contest and found the breakthrough after 21 minutes. Alexis Mac Allister produced a superb finish, arriving at the right moment before placing the ball into the top corner. The goal gave Liverpool greater confidence, while Nyoni was increasingly influential in the deeper midfield role. That was one of the most important elements of the evening. After the problems identified against Fulham, Nyoni provided a genuine anchor in front of the defence. He looked comfortable receiving possession, moved the ball intelligently and showed the positional discipline required from somebody operating deeper. James McConnell also worked tirelessly, while Lewis Koumas provided energy and physicality across the attacking line. Liverpool went into half time ahead, and there was a sense that the changes had worked. Second Half The second half was where Liverpool took control of the contest. Cody Gakpo doubled the advantage in the 54th minute with an excellent strike from the angle after Mac Allister supplied the assist. Gakpo was outstanding throughout and looked increasingly comfortable in Iraola’s faster and more direct system. Tottenham refused to disappear, however, and Conor Gallagher pulled one back in the 69th minute after Mateus Fernandes created the opportunity. The visitors had more possession and continued to threaten, but Liverpool remained dangerous on the counter. Iraola began refreshing his side, bringing on Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai in the 62nd minute before Bradley Barcola and eventually Alexander Isak entered the contest. Szoboszlai initially should have put the game beyond Tottenham before making amends in stoppage time. Gakpo was again involved, providing the assist for the Hungarian’s thunderous 90+1-minute finish. That sealed the victory. Mamardashvili deserves considerable credit for his contribution too. The Georgian produced another outstanding save after the restart, going low to his left before later making an extraordinary one-handed stop. His positioning for Tottenham’s goal was disappointing, but his shot-stopping was excellent. Final Thoughts This was a solid performance, especially given the number of changes made by Iraola. More importantly, it provided the Liverpool manager with some useful answers. Trey Nyoni showed why the discussion around a specialist defensive midfielder cannot simply be ignored. The youngster gave Liverpool greater balance from the deeper position and looked increasingly assured as the game progressed. Mac Allister was superb, Gakpo was outstanding and Mamardashvili demonstrated why Liverpool have such confidence in his ability. The younger players also took their opportunity. Koumas worked relentlessly, McConnell provided energy and Ngumoha showed flashes of the attacking ability that makes him such an exciting prospect. Liverpool still have work to do. The 17 shots conceded and the amount of possession Tottenham enjoyed demonstrate that this is not yet a finished side. But after the flat performance against Fulham, the most important thing was the reaction. Iraola changed the personnel, demanded more intensity and received it. Liverpool move into the next stage of the EFL Cup with confidence restored, while the manager has gained valuable information about the players competing for regular places. And Trey Nyoni may have just made his case for many more minutes. Steven Smith’s Pre-Match Prediction: Liverpool 2–1 Tottenham Final Score: Liverpool 3–1 Tottenham