Record breakers: League cup final review
Well that didn’t do the old blood pressure any good but at the end of the day, we have our record back of being the league cup’s most successful team, after those pretenders City temporarily levelled things last year. Let’s take a look at the team performance.
Goalkeeper
I’m so pleased for Kelleher. I was saying to Soop before the game that it was a big call from both managers on the goalkeeping front, Kepa rather harshly losing his spot and Kelleher quite rightly keeping his and he didn’t let the boss down. A string of impressive saves, excellent reading of the game when to come of his line and the fairytale ending of scoring the winning penalty. Klopp said it was his competition and he’s only gone and won it. McMOTM.
Defence
I’ll start with Trent, there’s no doubting his quality on the ball but his lack of defending today was shocking at times, particularly first half. Just jogging back, allowing his man to run off him or just having no clue there was even a man there. I can forgive defending not coming naturally but the effort and intensity has to be there.
The CB’s were excellent I thought, Joel desperately unlucky not to get his second goal in a week and I thought Konate did well against Lukaku when he came on. Robbo did plenty work but didn’t have his crossing boots on today.
Midfield
After a shaky start, I thought our midfield did a good job of controlling Kante and Kovacic. Neither Hendo or Keita were particularly expansive in an attacking sense but were on top and I felt we lost that control when Milner and Elliot came on. Great moment for Elliot scoring his penalty but spare a thought for Thiago in tears on the bench, having picked up an injury in the warm up. The frustration continues.
Attack
Diaz excellent start to his Liverpool career continued as he relentlessly probed down that left hand side, never shy in taking his player on and was our best outfield olayer in the day I thought. Just needs the goals to start flowing which i’ve no doubt they will. Mixed bag for Mane, although must still be wondering how he missed that chance and I thought Salah had his poorest game for a while. Decision making poor throughout, lost possession countless times and was controlled by Rudiger for the most part.
By the time Jota and Origi came on, the game looked destined for pens.
Summary
Another trophy in the cabinet then and a domestic cup win that is long overdue for the club. I remember Carragher saying a while back that if there was one criticism of this team it was that they hadn’t won enough, considering how good they are and I thought it a fair point. Once again though, Klopp has answered the question.
We rode our luck at times, don’t get me wrong. I thought we looked the stronger team on the day but there can be no denying that Chelsea had the better chances. Their profligacy in front of goal has been their downfall for the past season and a half though snd why they spent almost £100 million on Lukaku in the summer. Look away now Roman, erm I mean Chelsea Charitable Foundation 👀
All’s well that ends well however. First available trophy of the season and its in the bag. Lets use this as a springboard for more. League cup champions! Walk on!
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