Liverpool’s disastrous 2017 continued as they were knocked out by Southampton in the EFL Cup semi-final. The home side needed to beat the Saints by two goals at least to have any chance of making it to another final at Wembley but Claude Puel’s side were excellent ion their game plan.
The Saints nullified a strong looking Liverpool attack and were more than happy hitting them on the counter with Nathan Redmond doing an excellent job. It took the 90th minute for Shane Long to get the only goal of the game and ensure Jurgen Klopp didn’t celebrate the third final in his short stint as Liverpool manager.
The Reds will have to regroup themselves as they next host Wolverhampton in the FA Cup again at Anfield. Basis the showing today, they still have a lot of work to do and it is a surprise that a free-flowing attack has come to such a grinding halt.
We look back at the game and share the player ratings for the Liverpool team.
Loris Karius – 7/10
The German goalkeeper had another good showing for the Reds as he kept out Dusan Tadic in the first half. He couldn’t do much to save Long’s goal but it was due to the keeper’s efforts that Liverpool were still in the game.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7/0
The right-back had a tough time against Redmond and Ryan Bertrand in the first half but did much better in the second. His deliveries into the box could have been better but a decent showing nonetheless.
Dejan Lovren – 7/10
Lovren didn’t really have a lot to do except push the occasional header away. The Croatian looked much better alongside Joel Matip.
Joel Matip – 6/10
Matip struggled to deal with the pace of Redmond in the first half and was extremely careful in not tripping him a couple of times. A lack of game time was showing for the Cameroon star but he did do much better in the second half.
James Milner – 7/10
James Milner was the ever reliant James Milner, nothing too special from him.
Adam Lallana – 6/10
Lallana was booed every time he touched the ball but fatigue seemed to be setting in as he couldn’t get the Liverpool attack going all that well.
Jordan Henderson – 6/10
Henderson might be the captain of the club but he barely did a captain’s role when the team needed it. No urgency, no galvanising the team, this wasn’t his best showing for the Reds.
Emre Can – 6/10
The German almost got the first goal of the game when his shot was spilled by Fraser Forster but the goalkeeper recovered well. That was it for Can in the game and it seems he is another player that really needs a rest.
Roberto Firmino – 5/10
It didn’t even seem like Firmino was playing in the game, it was hard to see what the Brazilian did in the game.
Philippe Coutinho – 7/10
Coutinho did have a few bright moments in the game but again a well-drilled Southampton team ensured that he didn’t have a lot of openings to create having for the away team.
Daniel Sturridge – 6/10
The game just proved that Sturridge isn’t sharp enough to start games and well he didn’t really do much in the match either. He had a couple of glorious chances but failed to score and had it been the Sturridge of old, Liverpool would have been packing bags for Wembley.
Substitutes
Divock Origi – 6/10
The Belgian did work the channels well and did have a decent shout for a penalty late on but barring that, there was nothing noteworthy that he did.
Georginio Wijnaldum – NA
The Dutch midfielder didn’t have a lot of time to make an impact in the game.
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