Liverpool's Imposing Squad Depth Displayed in Comfortable Win over Tottenham
ANFIELD, Liverpool — Jurgen Klopp made 11 changes to his Liverpool side, yet the outcome for the EFL Cup fourth-round tie against Tottenham Hotspur was very much the same. That is, very much the same as the Premier League game at Anfield against West Bromwich Albion four days earlier.
In both instances, Liverpool played some slick attacking football, created excellent chances, went two goals ahead but ultimately made it flattering for the visiting team by gifting them a way back into the game.
The truth, though, is that this never looked in doubt, despite the 2-1 scoreline suggesting otherwise after Spurs' penalty allowed them a chance of forcing extra time.
The home side created enough chances to have won this game by, as Klopp said post-match, "three, four, five"—the manager noting though that we "don't live in dream land."
For the manager, it was ideal that he was able to make such wholesale changes and yet still progress to the quarter finals and do so with relative comfort.
But then, when you can call on strikers Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi to lead your second-string XI, that really should be the case.
Klopp, though, was brave and bold in handing a debut to 18-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold, a full debut to fellow 18-year-old Ovie Ejaria, a first Anfield start for 20-year-old Marko Grujic, plus a first start of the season for 23-year-old Kevin Stewart.
While it was a big night for the trio of Arnold, Ejaria and Grujic, it was Stewart who was up against the club that released him two years ago and had a point to prove. The Englishman has developed into a tidy holding midfielder during his time at Liverpool's academy, having been primarily a right-back when he arrived at the club following his release from White Hart Lane.
Stewart put in a quietly effective performance, especially considering the youthfulness of Liverpool's midfield. Quite how he's never been called up for England at any level seems baffling.
Attack
Bringing in Origi and Sturridge, Klopp opted for a change in formation for the first time this season—another brave move that showed his confidence in his squad and the coaching taking place at Melwood.
It was the third time the two forwards had started a game together, with the two previous occasions both being away to Southampton last season—in the League Cup and the Premier League. Across those two games, they'd hit six goals—three each—between them.
It was Sturridge who added to that tally with two goals against Mauricio Pochettino's side, one in each half.
The first showed his instinct in front of goal, pouncing to finish after Grujic's shot was deflected across the face of the box, the second showed his composure, slotting past Michel Vorm after being played in by Georginio Wijnaldum.
In between the two goals, Sturridge could have had a hat-trick himself, forcing saves from Vorm and failing to finish when served up opportunities.
It's been a tough start to the season for Sturridge, often overlooked for league games with Roberto Firmino instead leading the Liverpool attack, but in the League Cup, he's enjoying success, doing his best to remind Klopp of his finishing ability. After all, it's the hardest thing to do in football and Sturridge has done it more for this club than any other current player.
Origi too enjoyed a better showing than he's been able to produce so far this season. While he wasn't able to get on the scoresheet, he showed enough to remind the Kop of the player they saw toward the end of last season—strong, fast and dominant against defenders.
Origi's cramp late on allowed Klopp to give Danny Ings a cameo appearance and reward him for his recent form for the under-23s.
Ings can consider himself unlucky that he only had 23 minutes, but that he is the substitute when Liverpool make 11 changes to the starting lineup displays the Reds' squad depth this season.
For Ings, this perhaps shows that he is going to struggle to get playing time this season unless injuries occur to the trio of forwards ahead of him. A loan move in January could benefit him there, then able to return to the club for next season when hopefully European football will mean more chances.
"We cannot play with four strikers," said Klopp. "If you have an idea how we can do this, plus defending, come to me, tell me!"
It's a wonderful problem for the manager to have, and he will be happy to have progressed in this competition as it means at least one more opportunity to keep some of his squad players involved in the next round.
Positives Galore
Typically, when Liverpool have made wholesale changes for cup games in recent history, it's meant for a disjointed performance and players failing to deliver when given the chance to shine.
Klopp had made fewer changes for the previous rounds against Championship sides Burton Albion and Derby County, but he's now more confident in his squad and the youngsters he has been able to observe and coach at Melwood frequently over the last two months.
So this display and the fact Klopp made so many changes shows how strong this squad is. There is competition for places throughout, and nobody is letting themselves down when given chances.
Simon Mignolet did well in goal, making some comfortable catches off corners and crosses; Arnold was superb, if enthusiastic, on his debut; Ejaria worked hard and grew into the game; Lucas had a near-perfect game until giving the referee opportunity to penalise him for the penalty.
Alberto Moreno was mostly good at left-back, putting in some unorthodox but effective challenges that left you wondering quite how he'd done it. Ragnar Klavan settled into the game and showed his experience as a steady backup option.
Wijnaldum did enough to win back his place in the starting XI for Saturday's trip to Crystal Palace, which would thus restore the regular trio of the Dutchman, Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana, leaving Emre Can on the sidelines again.
What's clear is that if and when Klopp has problems such as injuries and suspensions this season, the players he will call on won't be a huge downgrade.
Rather than having Iago Aspas and Victor Moses to call on, as Brendan Rodgers did in 2013/14, or David Ngog and Nabil El Zhar, as Rafael Benitez did in 2008/09, Klopp has a plethora of attacking combinations and options—and Sturridge and Origi primarily.
Pre and post-match, Pochettino stated how Liverpool perhaps have the strongest squad in the league, and this selection evidenced as such.
Lest we even mention the Reds bench; Loris Karius, Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren, Lallana, Sadio Mane, Can and Ings.
It's been almost as strong as that for league games of late, too. This weekend's bench at Palace is likely to feature Mignolet, Moreno, Lucas, Can, Grujic, Sturridge and Origi.
The likes of Stewart, Ejaria and Arnold could instead line up for the Reds' under-23s against Manchester City on Friday night.
It doesn't end there either, with Klopp taking time post-match to deliver a message to others within the club's youth ranks that he's aware of them and their ability.
"[There's] a few more to come, a little younger than the boys who made their debut tonight," said Klopp. "[It's] good news for Liverpool."
It certainly is.
* Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise stated.
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