This is exactly what a League Cup game should be like. Fringe players getting minutes and contributing, kids coming in and showing real promise, and of course winning the game. You can’t ask for much more than this.
The team selection is always something that causes debate in these cups, especially when we lose. When we win it’s fine, but as soon as you don’t win the ‘disrespecting the cup’ argument rears its ugly head. Everything is positive today after a 3-0 win but if Norwich had fielded their best eleven it might be a different conversation.
I can honestly say my view on it doesn’t change whether we win or lose. The League Cup (and depending on the level of opposition this applies to the FA Cup too) is now is purely about blooding kids who may become the next Trent, and getting game time to players not in the first eleven who we may need to call on. If you reach the latter stages then you can go stronger, but in the early rounds this is the way to go.
We’ve actually done this for years, but the difference now is we have good enough players to be able to do it and not lose the game, unless we get unlucky with the draw and end up playing one of the better sides. This isn’t a new strategy, Rafa used to do this all the time. We had some decent results with it, most notably when a team of kids won at Spurs. We also had some horrific results with it. Most notably when a team of stiffs lost at Spurs.
Now we’ve got the right blend. The team Klopp sent out for this one had a lot of players who either needed to impress to put themselves closer to the starting line up, or to show that they can be relied upon if they are needed again. And most of them did exactly what you’d have wanted them to.
I’m not sure what the line up would have been if Milner hadn’t been taken ill. He might have played right back ahead of Conor Bradley, or maybe he’d have been in midfield which would have seen Curtis moved into the front three in place of Kaide Gordon. Milner not being available meant both teenagers got a chance.
We still looked strong though with Gomez and Konate at the heart of the defence and plenty of experience in midfield with Keita, Ox and Curtis. When I saw the Norwich line up and compared it to ours I fully expected us to win by a few, and so it proved.
The first half wasn’t very good though. It started well enough and we were on the front foot immediately. We scored after only a few minutes too, which obviously helps. We’re absolutely killing it from corners this season aren’t we? This one probably looks a bit scrappy and fortunate but it looked well worked to me. Minamino’s movement is brilliant and he completely lost his marker to find himself all alone. Origi headed it down to him and he finished smartly.
We were playing some nice stuff in that opening period, even though we had Curtis in an unfamiliar sitting position. The longer the half went the worse we got though and to me that was almost entirely on the midfield. Or specifically, two of them. Curtis was out of position so I’m not pointing the finger at him for the lack of control we had. It’s the other two. Jesus.
Ox couldn’t do a thing right and Keita was just…. well, Keita. I wouldn’t ever pick him in these games because it’s clear he doesn’t give a fuck and think they’re beneath him. We’ve seen it too many times now. Some will say he’s like that in every game, but he’s not. In the league games when he’s surrounded by the big names he’s rarely as disinterested as he seems in these matches.
Every time there’s a game like this people are looking to him to make a statement and really show why he should be pushing for a first team spot, and he just never does it. He’s nearly always like this. Anonymous. He does my fucking head in. After scoring a goal like he did at the weekend he should have taken this game by the scruff of the neck but instead we just got typical passive Naby.
Norwich slowly started to get a bit of a foothold in the game and they had a few half decent openings before they were awarded a penalty. The initial problem was Kelleher making a mess of a shot and parrying it straight to a Norwich player. Then Bradley has thought he could win the ball and the forward has bought a penalty from him.
It looks clumsy and reckless, but it wasn’t that bad really. Bradley sees that he can win the ball and he commits to a challenge, but the forward realises what’s happening and he just puts his body in the way. Because Bradley is off the ground he then can’t make any kind of adjustment and clatters him.
It’s a definite penalty but its as much about the forward being clever as it is Conor being inexperienced. It definitely affected him for a little while though as he had a ropey spell afterwards before growing back into the game and finishing strongly.
Kelleher saved the penalty with his trailing foot having committed to a dive to the right. A bit lucky but it’s not like it just hit him, he improvises and makes sure he gets his right foot on it so it’s a good save really. Other than the parry that led to the penalty he was very assured and was especially impressive coming off his line to deal with balls over the top.
Also worth mentioning the double block from Gomez to stop Norwich scoring from the follow up after the saved penalty. Outstanding that, and the skipper for the night had a great game. I love Big Joel and he’s my first choice partner for Virg, but Gomez is definitely knocking loudly on the door.
At half time I was thinking just how much different the game would have been if we’d had Hendo and Thiago in midfield instead of Keita and Ox. Norwich wouldn’t have got a fucking kick as we’d have completely dominated midfield and they’d have dictated the pace of the game. Everyone would have looked better because of it, not least Gordon who barely got to see any of the ball.
That was mostly on Ox. Our usual pattern of play sees us work loads of combinations down that right with Trent, Hendo (or recently Harvey) and Mo. I’m not expecting Bradley, Ox and Gordon to be able to replicate their quality, but I thought the two kids were not helped at all by Ox who was either giving the ball away or just charging around and not really looking to link with them.
It was better in the second half. Much, much better actually. Why was that? Well firstly, Keita went off (after injuring himself kicking the grass!) and Ox was moved out of the midfield. Tyler Morton came on and gave us stability and control in front of the back four, and he was helped by Jones and Minamino who did a much better job of linking play than Keita and Ox had done.
I really like Minamino, I just don’t know exactly what he is or where he fits. He’s a boss little footballer though and he reminds me of a Ray Houghton, Freddie Ljungberg type of wide player. He’s not dribbler or a speed merchant, but he makes great runs in behind and is very clever. He’s very different to Salah and Mané though so it’s hard to say that he’s a viable alternative to them. We’re not especially blessed with other options though so we’ll see if he can contribute in bigger games than this one. He can do a job in midfield too if needed, and I’d definitely be picking him over Keita. That’s damning with feint praise though.
Divock made it 2-0 with a smart header from a typically pinpoint Kostas delivery, and Taki wrapped it up with a lovely improvised finish after collecting a pass from Ox and bursting into the box.
Gordon was more of a factor in the second half as he was able to get on the ball a bit more. He’s class and he’s going to be a really good player. He went close with a good shot in the first half and he sent Origi clear with a brilliant ball in the second half. Looking forward to seeing him play again.
Not sure why Robertson and Henderson were both brought on as it seemed a bit needless to me, but other than Keita there appear to be no injuries so that’s a good thing.
It would have been a much sterner test for the lads and we’d have learnt a lot more if Norwich had taken the game seriously. Why the fuck are they not putting their best team out and trying to have a good cup run? It blows my mind how teams without European commitments are copying the top clubs by rotating their squads for the cups.
Norwich are going down. 100% they are getting relegated. They’d be better off resting their first eleven for league games and trying to beat us in the cup. Give their fans something to cheer about. I can’t get my head around why these little teams are doing this shit.
Everton and Newcastle are other good examples. Their cup records are fucking appalling but they always rest their best players. Why? It’s mad. But it’s not our problem so fuck them I suppose. It’s their loss.
There were some interesting songs coming from the away end in this one. The “You to me are everything” one for Ox got a couple of airings, as did the “Ain’t nobody” Joe Gomez song, and I’m fairly sure I heard a “Mama Mia” chant for Taki. And there was the Suarez chant, which initially was clearly done to taunt the Norwich fans, but ended up being sung with gusto for some time.
I just think the lads in the away have missed being able to sing that and it was a nice trip down memory lane. It was a great fucking song. Not gonna lie, I got a little emotional hearing that as you know how much I love him. Spare me all of your reasons why I shouldn’t. I’ve heard them all. I know all of the reasons he doesn’t deserve it and I’m not going to try and justify anything he did. The truth is I know about all of his sins but I just don’t care. I love him anyway. I’m not alone either.
Anyway, star man is Minamino but it could just as easily have been Gomez, who was completely dominant. Konate wasn’t far behind him either.
Team: Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Gomez, Tsimikas (Robertson); Jones (Henderson), Oxlade-Chamberlain, Keita (Morton); Gordon, Origi, Minamino:
Recommended Comments