Liverpool failed to snatch the EFL Cup final entrance ticket from Southampton after a 0-1 (0-2 on aggregate) defeat at Anfield. Having enjoyed an unbeaten run at home for a year plus, back to back defeats at the hands of Swansea in the league and the Saints have been a knee-jerk for the faithful.
Before the kick-off, the team looked pretty strong on the paper, only for Nathaniel Clyne missing out of the blue due to an abdominal injury.
The club tweeted the following message:
Nathaniel Clyne is absent from tonight's squad due to a rib/abdominal injury
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 25, 2017
Despite the daunting defeat, the England international wasn’t missed against his former club as deputy Trent Alexander-Arnold continued to reap up positive reviews. The 18-year-old had a few tricky moments against Tadic and Nathan Redmond in the opening exchanges but grew into the game and looked composed till the final whistle.
With the home side being superior in attack and possession, he habitually got involved in a number of good movements and whipped in decent crosses into the box. The latter quality didn’t turn into assists as the attackers failed to convert those chances into goals. Which was the plot of the entire match. Klopp’s men kept the visitors’ defence busy but not troubled. Nearing the closing stage of the match, Shane Long’s long strike was proved to be the only difference.
In an overall picture, besides the right-back slot, Liverpool’s backline has always been a work in progress. Clyne has been a pivotal part of the Reds since arriving for Southampton and only missed a single league match, in the 1-1 stalemate with Manchester United earlier this month. It was the similar rib injury. He returned when his side were humbled 2-3 by Swansea City on Saturday yet the pain bothered him yet again.
The 25-year-old has created 31 chances and averaged three defensive actions-per-game out of 21 league appearances this term and have tasted victory in 49% of his average duels. Similar to Arnold, he often plays like an auxiliary winger and has contributed to 2 assists to his name.
He is expected to feature in the first team when his side welcomes Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday. With a crucial league clash against Chelsea shortly after, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Arnold gets the nod once again with a fully-fit Clyne eyed to nullify threats from fleet-footed Eden Hazard.
The Reds need to keep an eye over their shoulder in securing a place in the top four if they fail to upturn their form against Antonio Conte’s well-oiled team. Klopp’s high-tempo and possession-oriented tactics seem to be an old hat already, as opponents are more than happy to play with their backs to the wall and break forward in counter attacks.
With back to back home matches yet again, no doubt they will be spurred on by the vivacious Anfield yet most importantly the players need to show their true mettle on the pitch.
