Football News: Southampton v Liverpool - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

Southampton v Liverpool A Liverpool Perspective

Tactically, this was very like a continuation of the previous game against Fulham, with Endo taking over the Gravenberch central defender/central midfielder role, for the first half. When the team were in possession, he stepped into midfield, out of possession, he dropped into the backline to make it a back four. It worked very well and the first half saw Liverpool in complete control and dominant for the full 45 minutes. Unfortunately, the half-time changes did not help the team and Southampton came back into the game in the second half. Where they were fluent and flowing for 45 minutes, Liverpool were stuttering and disjointed after the break.

The mix of youngsters, players coming back from injury and a few senior first team pros was strong enough to see the game out, which is all that matters in a cup game. Performance is irrelevant, results are the key and there was enough there for them to make it through to the semi-finals.

The performance in the first half was not helped by the weather, as the ball was not running quite properly. That led to a number of passes being overhit as the ball was not quite in the place the players were expecting it to be as they kicked it. Things improved in the second half as the ground staff managed to do enough over the break to get the pitch into much better condition for playing football. Other than the weather, the biggest danger in the first half to Liverpool was themselves, as they did over commit to the attack at times and leave themselves light at the back.

Tactically it was interesting by Slot, starting with a back four consisting of Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Endo and Gomez, but that would become a back three in possession as Endo stepped up into midfield. That defensive unit worked well, right up until the changes at half-time saw Tsimikas and Morton take over as the full-backs from Alexander-Arnold and Gomez. It looked much weaker, partly due to Morton struggling, partly due to Southampton's change of tactics and partly because Southampton were able to push onto Liverpool much more easily without their fear of Alexander-Arnold dropping a pass in behind them.

The midfield also saw a lot of shifting around, the first half starting off with Morton at the base, Mac Allister ahead to his right and Nyoni to his left. That was changed partway through the half, as Slot looked to get Elliott into the game more and he was moved into midfield and Nyoni went wide right. The midfield was much improved with Elliott in there, not because Nyoni was particularly poor, but because there was so little use of the right side of the pitch until Elliott moved central. The half-time changes saw Mac Allister drop back into the deeper role, as Morton had moved to the right-back position and Nyoni moved back to the centre. It looked a lot less solid. McConnell was a straight swap for Mac Allister and it did help solidify things.

It was a similar story in attack, as it started off with Nunez in the centre, Elliott wide right and Gakpo to the left side. Elliott barely even saw the ball while there, which led to him moving into midfield and Nyoni moving to the right. It did leave the side unbalanced. Putting Chiesa up on the right after half-time did not really help much, as he took an age to get into the game. Nunez moving to the left, after the arrival of Jota, also caused a further imbalance, as Jota tends to like to drift to the left as well. When Danns came on for Nyoni, taking over the left side role so Nunez could go central and Jota drop in behind him, the attack looked a lot more potent.

I think the most impressive thing was the fluidity of the Liverpool team as the first half wore on, the way they interchanged, moved positions and attacked like they played this system and with this team every week. It looked like a first-choice team who had played together regularly for months. It was a thing of beauty at times in that first half.

Southampton

They spent the first half sitting back and hoping to snatch a goal on the break, but never got to even threatening to succeed. In the second half, they changed it up and pushed forward and put Liverpool under pressure. Liverpool's cobbled together side struggled to cope, particularly once Sugawara came on, who drove on from right-back extremely well. They completely abandoned Russell Martin's pass-pass-pass and then pass some more system and were much more direct. It was a much better performance as a result. They just lack a bit of genuine quality.

Liverpool

Kelleher - he did make a good reaction stop when needed but his kicking is still a worry for me.

Alexander-Arnold - playing a much less attacking role than usual, pretty much sitting in as a right-sided centre-back of three, but it was very comfortable for him. In fact, the most pressure he was under was when Kelleher played him into trouble, which he dealt with very well and turned it into the attack for the opening goal.

Gomez - played really well in that first half. The thing that impressed me is his vision. Against Fulham he produced a peach of a pass, but he showed it was no fluke with another lovely ball through.

Endo - had a really good game, though I am not sure central defence is really his best position, allowing him the freedom to push up and be aggressive off the ball really helped his game. The commentators really do not like him though, after he misplaced one pass, they were talking about how bad his passing was and how he had misplaced numerous passes today. It was just one pass he had misplaced at that point! I can fully understand why he was given man of the match by Liverpool as I would have chosen him as well. I was surprised little was made of his being forearmed smashed by a Saints player off the ball at one point, they never even mentioned it or showed a replay of it in the highlights. During the game live, they did show a quick close up of it and their number 6 clearly raises his arm and whacks him. It looks like Harwood-Bellis is learning off his future father-in-law...

Quansah - started off showing aggression early on but soon reverted to his usual back foot defending. He was poor on the ball as well and his defending was weak. The big worry is how he always wants to just wait and wait at every moment. Rather than just going and dealing with things. It is the worst aspect of van Dijk's game and that is the bit he seems to have down pat, but without having the big Dutchman's capability of just outmuscling and outpacing opponents to allow him to wait and see. He has to learn to play to his strengths and weaknesses, rather than try and play like his hero Virgil. He does not have the technique, nor the physique to play like him.

Morton - had a good first half in midfield, but then switched to right-back for the second half and was awful. Defensively he was poor, at one point he completely forgot about the ball and just tried to play the man, which he failed to do. His judgement when it comes to winning headers is still worryingly poor as well. The timing of his runs needs a lot of work as well, whether in midfield or full-back, he was not meshing well with his teammates, which caused a few balls to go astray when he never made the run expected.

Mac Allister - struggled to get into the game early on, but as it wore on he got more involved, particularly after the reshuffle which saw Nyoni go wide right and Elliott drop in to partner him. He started the second half in the deeper role once more, but was not at his best there.

Nyoni - he was never overawed but his performance left a lot to be desired. His passing was poor and he never imposed himself on the game but the experience will have helped him a lot. At his age, the last thing he needed was to find it easy and then get the feeling he has already made it. Now he will know he has a lot to do to reach this level.

Elliott - not the best of games for Elliott. He was making so little impression on the game while on the right that he had to be moved inside. There he was better, but he still failed to really stamp his authority on the game. He is clearly still some way off match sharpness, so things should improve as he gets that. Despite all that, he still managed to get a goal and pick up a very bizarre yellow card for a strange wrestling match off the ball with Downes. Even though he was not at his best, he can still contribute positively, which is a useful talent.

Nunez - despite Liverpool's domination in the first half, he got very little service at all, but he managed to score the opening goal. In the second half he spent a short period out on the left, where he seemed a little out of place, to be honest. The team felt much better once he moved back into the centre.

Gakpo - played really well and was probably the one with the biggest argument to take the man of the match away from Endo. He was a constant menace in the first half and it was a run from him that created the chance for Elliott's goal. At times, it felt like everything was focused purely on just getting him the ball.

Chiesa - replaced Alexander-Arnold at half-time. A very mixed game. Showed some lovely skill, such as a beautiful piece of control followed up by a nutmeg, but was also far too weak. Worryingly weak. But when he is running with the ball, it is great to watch and he also came close to adding a goal. I just hope he can adapt to the physicality of English football.

Tsimikas - came on for Gomez also at half-time. Despite being on for a full half, he made very little impression on the match.

Jota - took Gakpo's place in the 63rd minute. His work tracking back played a big part in solidifying things after he came on. While Nunez is never shy in that aspect, he played a lot deeper and so cut off Saints' play in midfield.

McConnell - was brought on in place of Mac Allister in the 63rd minute. Help shore things up in the centre and played well in the time he was on the pitch. He did pick up a silly, needless booking though.

Danns - arrived in the stead of Nyoni in the 85th minute. Showed nice feet but had very little time to really make an impact playing out on the left. It was just good to see him back from injury and getting some minutes.

Written by Tris Burke December 20 2024 23:42:45