Poor refereeing was a giant space of focus after Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat to Tottenham, but it surely was laborious to disregard one other disappointing Reds efficiency, too.
Arne Slot‘s aspect got here unstuck in north London on Wednesday night time, which means they’ll take a deficit with them again to Anfield subsequent month.
Liverpool by no means bought going towards Tottenham within the League semi-final first leg, in what was their second below-par show in three days.
Right here, This Is Anfield’s Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) and Sam Millne (@sam_millne) focus on a irritating night time, each by way of efficiency and officiating.
The nice…
HENRY: There wasn’t loads to love, was there?
I believed Virg was class, although, and he didn’t need to be on the shedding aspect. He has been a monster all season lengthy.
Endo did nicely at centre-back and I truly thought Nunez supplied brightness when he got here on, however these had been slim pickings by way of positives!
Away from Liverpool, I believed it labored having the ability to hear Stuart Attwell explaining to the group why Solanke’s objective was disallowed.
SAM: It’s useful within the floor to listen to the referee’s rationalization however taking part in the whistle via the PA is a tad extreme!
Endo’s show undoubtedly caught out as a constructive. At centre-back, he checked out ease alongside Van Dijk and was calmer on the ball than Quansah earlier than he went off.
There was a selected second within the second half when he rose larger than he had the precise to, heading clear a ball ball that was destined for the Tottenham attacker placing him below strain.
He’s certainly one to begin and lead by instance on Saturday.
Elsewhere, I believed Liverpool performed some good soccer at instances in midfield however struggled to then lower via the white shirts as soon as they reached the attacking third.
The dangerous…
HENRY: What number of dangerous choices are we going to get at that stadium?!
We will add final night time’s shocker to the likes of Diaz’s wrongly disallowed objective, Jones’ pink card and the blatant shove on Jota in current seasons.
Fairly how Attwell didn’t present Bergvall a second yellow card is past me – in fact he went and scored the winner for added salt within the wounds!
That stated, I’m not going to take a seat right here and say that’s why Liverpool misplaced.
We had been torpid all through, which is a priority, contemplating it was a poor response to the Man United recreation.
I don’t suppose there’s a large must be fearful, but it surely’s laborious to not be crammed with nerves about these journeys to Forest and Brentford subsequent week.
I believed Jones was means off it – he has been for a couple of weeks now – as was Quansah earlier than he went off.
Ibou was nowhere close to adequate for the objective, too, and it was typically a garbage recreation to look at.
SAM: Like Henry, I didn’t suppose Jones was on his recreation for a second consecutive match.
Whereas we don’t know Slot’s plans for the following few weeks, it appeared unusual to not get Harvey Elliott on sooner and even begin him given his shiny efficiency from the bench towards Man United.
He proved many instances below Klopp that he’s a superb substitute on the very least – it’s one thing we ought to be profiting from, even when he doesn’t fairly match the bodily mould Slot could require from his most-advanced midfielder.
What’s your XI vs. Accrington Stanley?
HENRY: I might make a number of adjustments, particularly as Forest away arrives simply three days later, which is a large recreation.
The likes of Virg, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah and Gakpo merely should be rested, and maybe even overlooked of the squad completely.
I’d wish to see the likes of Nallo and Nyoni given an opportunity, with extra skilled choices on the bench if issues go a bit pear-shaped.
I might begin a aspect like this: Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah (if match), Nallo, Robertson; Endo, Nyoni, Elliott; Chiesa, Nunez, Danns
SAM: Going robust towards Tottenham indicated how Liverpool are viewing League Two Accrington Stanley as opponents.
This isn’t a case of disrespecting the FA Cup. That is rotating gamers who require relaxation however nonetheless fielding a aspect that ought to beat a crew 86 locations decrease within the Soccer League.
Like Henry, I might recommend taking part in Kelleher, Bradley and Quansah on the again. Endo or Amara Nallo are the possible different decisions at centre-half whereas it’s a toss-up between Tsimikas and Robertson for the opposite spot.
Tyler Morton and Elliott ought to each get video games in midfield, as may Nyoni who appears to be Slot’s first-choice academy prospect this season.
From a private perspective, I might like to see Danns begin, however Slot may go for a entrance three of Diaz, Nunez and Chiesa to get the sport received early, in idea.Personally, I might go: Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Endo, Robertson; Morton, Szoboszlai, Nyoni; Chiesa, Danns, Diaz
Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool
