Arne Slot could have some solutions in addition to new questions as a much-changed lineup despatched Liverpool by way of to the fourth spherical for the fifth consecutive season.
Liverpool 5-1 West Ham
League Cup Third Spherical, Anfield
September 25, 2024
Objectives: Jota 25’ 49’, Salah 74’, Gakpo 90, 90+3′; Quansah OG 21′
Rotation success
Slot admitted in certainly one of his latest press conferences that he was not used to the squad rotation required at a membership like Liverpool.
At Feyenoord he had been capable of stick to the identical XI a lot of the time, however with Premier League, the League Cup, further Champions League video games, and FA Cup but to come back, Slot wanted to make use of 22 or extra gamers, somewhat than 11.
He rotated closely towards West Ham making 9 adjustments, solely Darwin Nunez stored his place outfield, with the Uruguayan most popular over taking part in Tyler Morton in midfield.
The rotation was successful. Regardless of the odd scare and a few occasional indecision on the again, the group did sufficient to safe the win with relative ease ultimately.
It’s testomony to Slot’s system, and an early constructive signal that it’s going to arise even when the personnel are modified.
Mo Salah got here on and confirmed his class. Even simply his passing is on the following degree to most gamers, and he confirmed this within the build-up to his personal aim, sliding Conor Bradley in behind the West Ham defence.
Caoimhin Kelleher was assured in aim to the purpose the place you don’t see the distinction between him and Alisson.
In the meantime, Ryan Gravenberch and Ibrahima Konate have been afforded the night time off utterly, with Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai not required from the bench.
An all-change, all-round success.
Totally different profiles, similar form
Wanting on the beginning lineup it was unclear who would act because the third, most superior midfielder, as Szoboszlai has finished in video games beneath Slot to this point.
Diogo Jota ended up the participant closest to the Szoboszlai position, however drifted across the attacking midfield positions.
Szoboszlai frequently joins the ahead line from an attacking midfield place, so having a ahead, in Jota, dropping in, somewhat than a midfielder pushing up, made it really feel completely different. However the positioning was fairly comparable regardless of the completely different perceptions of the 2 gamers.
Jota drifted round from a place principally to the correct of Darwin Nunez, however could possibly be discovered anyplace between the 2 touchlines in entrance of Jones and Endo.
Elsewhere it was extra of the identical, too. Kostas Tsimikas hung again to type a again three throughout the preliminary build-up part, whereas Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo fashioned the midfield double-pivot, advancing when the second referred to as for it.
Totally different names and a distinct really feel, however finally a well-known form.
Versatile priceless Jones
As he has so many instances in his Liverpool profession, Jones confirmed his versatility, taking part in two completely different positions as the sport went on and adjustments have been made off the bench.
He began within the deep-lying midfield two alongside Endo, finishing up comparable duties to these usually assigned to Alexis Mac Allister.
Then when Mac Allister entered the fray himself, Jones moved ahead into essentially the most superior midfield position, as beforehand carried out by Jota.
The Scouser performed an element in each objectives, getting away the fast one-time move which despatched Cody Gakpo free for Jota’s first.
His involvement within the second was extra noticeable. It was he who began the assault from deep, evading a West Ham defender earlier than receiving the return ball on the sting of the realm and discovering the hole to play Jota in.
Jones excelled in his first begin of the season, and confirmed what he can deliver to this group.
Supporter solidarity
Liverpool followers from Spirit of Shankly and West Ham Supporters from teams together with Hammers United gathered outdoors Anfield earlier than the sport to protest towards rising ticket costs in soccer.
West Ham followers have seen adjustments and elimination of concession ticketing for U21s, U18s, over 66s and disabled supporters on the London Stadium. In addition they threw black balloons on the pitch forward of the sport as a part of the protest.
Liverpool and West Ham followers be part of forces forward of tonight’s recreation to protest towards ticket worth rises and adjustments to, and elimination of, concession tickets at West Ham and different golf equipment. pic.twitter.com/BQeqskEMi4
— James Nalton (@JDNalton) September 25, 2024
Some Everton followers have been additionally current from the Followers Supporting Foodbanks assortment outdoors Anfield, serving to maintain up the banner asking golf equipment to cease exploiting fan loyalty.
It was a present of solidarity between soccer supporters from Liverpool and London, from three completely different golf equipment, and possibly the beginning of the type of collective motion wanted to deal with these points that have an effect on followers throughout the sport.
Jota passes audition for Wolves
It was a shock to see each Jota and Nunez begin, however what occurred within the second half gave clues as to Liverpool’s plans for the upcoming recreation towards Wolves.
Slot might need at all times deliberate to sub Jota on the hour mark, or he could have made the choice on who to start out on Saturday as the sport went on.
If Jota and Nunez have been auditioning to start out the following recreation, then Jota’s efficiency and two objectives noticed him move with flying colors.
Chiesa was additionally withdrawn on the similar time, however this was probably a continuation of his increase match health, somewhat than an indication he will likely be beginning towards Wolves.
Jota, and certainly the likes of Kelleher and Gakpo, now give Slot some encouragement that there are high quality gamers ready within the wings ought to certainly one of his common starters within the league want a relaxation or be unavailable.
Liverpool 5-1 West Ham
