Southampton 1-2 Liverpool – Player Ratings – Liverpool FC

A much-changed Liverpool obviously lacked cohesion and ultimately experience in the Carabao Cup in Southampton, but prevailed to book their place in the semi-finals.

Southampton 1-2 Liverpool

Carabao Cup Quarter Final | St Mary’s
18 December 2024

Goal: Archer 59′; Nunez 24′, Elliott 32′

---

Caoimhin Kelleher – 7 (out of 10)

Returned to the lineup after a two-game absence and made a heroic fingertip save midway through the first half. Or a daisy-cutter that rolled into him, whatever.

No chance with Saints’ second shot, a fierce curler into the top corner, but made a brilliant reflex stop minutes later. A late save from Ben Brereton Diaz was more routine.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7

Captain despite a shocking display at the weekend which raised some eyebrows, but if Virgil doesn’t play then Trent has the armband.

Played the through ball for Nunez’s opener – aided by a shocking attempt to clear – and later met Mac Allister’s shot.

Jarell Quansah – 7th

A big role for Quansah, who hasn’t been great when getting fleeting minutes – but he was essentially the only centre-back in a fluid setup at the back.

Wasn’t tested much at all and cleaned up loose balls well but the first moment he should have shown he didn’t as he was positionally at fault for Archer’s goal.

Made a huge flying block soon after though which could have otherwise been 2-2.

Did he get away with a late one? Other judges may have given it, but it didn’t seem to matter, Fernandes went down more simply than Quansah sailing or pulling him down.

Wataru Endo – 7

Gumshield in, libero mode on. Basically lined up as the second centre-back, but with a clear mandate to get into midfield when we had the ball…which was pretty much always.

Quansah was the only player with more touches than Endo (100), who also won more duels than any other player by far (11).

Won a few fierce tackles, bounced the ball around, sprinted back when called upon. Wore the armband in the second half but assisted the Saints’ goal when the ball was punched into his face and returned to Cameron Archer.

Joe Gomez – 8

Left back? Back of a three? Left wing-back? Ticked every box, overlapped and under-lapped, chased back to barge Dibling out of the way, played nicely out of defense and supported the attack at every opportunity.

Suspensions or not, should probably be our starter on that side of the defense right now.

Tyler Morton – 6

Feel sorry for Morton – he’s obviously good enough to do a bit of a job some of the time, but in this kind of game he can’t show anything, with team-mates who haven’t played together, a terribly wet pitch and an opponent with 300 players behind the ball.

Kept the ball nicely, won a few challenges but no space or capacity to really impact in a meaningful way.

Went right back in the second half and should have shown Archer down the channel, didn’t and they scored.

Alexis McAllister – 6

He didn’t seem to appreciate the monsoon conditions, but it was nice to have him back after back-to-back suspensions.

Almost scored with a fine finish from the edge of the box. Played no. 6 after the break. Hopefully the run out gives him a good nick for the weekend.

Trey Nyoni – 6

A first ever senior start for the talented teenager, though not a match where we saw too much of his talent.

Caught the ball a few times or tried passes that didn’t come off but kept working, moving and offering himself to be possessed.

No doubt more to come, but in truth he was swamped and a bit lost as the game got closer in the second half. Nevertheless, a big step in his career.

Harvey Elliott – 7

A first start since May 19, the last day of last season – he is hoping for much more in the second half of the campaign.

That lack of playing time was evident in the opening 30 minutes, which he barely made an impact on: loose touches, marginalized in build-up play and a mistake made when he tried to win the ball back after a misplaced attempt at a ball down the line.

But then his moment: an arrow on the field, a good position just outside the box, a really good first touch and then a bit of fortune to see his right-footed shot turn past the keeper for the first goal of the season.

Ran plenty and got into some good spaces from midfield.

Darwin Nunez – 7

His first curler attempt went about 40 yards over the bar. No such mistake next time as he ran onto a through ball from deep, took a touch and flicked his finish past the keeper for the opener.

We needed more hold-up play from him second half really.

A ‘shit Andy Carroll’ you might think he is, Saints fans; we think you guys are just a bunch of shit. And you’re out of the cup.

Cody Gakpo – 8 – Man of the Match

It might be a bit strong to say that he was one of the few who actually showed quality on the ball, but he was also one of the few who had real rhythm and form, and it showed.

Good movement, always willing to take on his man and delivered a couple of great balls into the box – doing just that to assist Elliott.

Deputies

Kostas Tsimikas (on for Gomez, 46′) – 7 – A timely return from injury. Made some crosses and corner kicks but was also beaten by Sugawara.

Federico Chiesa (on for Alexander-Arnold, 46′) – 7 – Let’s hope this is the right start to his Reds career.

Had a great chance but missed his shot. The best moment was when an elite first touched the sky and subsequently nutmeg. Almost scored twice late on, a bending effort blocked close to the line and the rebound deflected.

Diogo Jota (on for Gakpo, 62′) – 7 – Ahead of the last half hour, chided Chiesa.

James McConnell (on for Mac Allister, 62′) – 6 – He will hope that this is a kick-start after injuries during this period. A few nice details. Booked.

Jayden Danns (on for Nyoni, 85′) – N/A – Back from injury and a first run-out during Slot to the final phase.

Unused substitutes: Jaros, Nallo, Norris, Ngumoha

Arne Castle – 8

Two rounds from a potential final we could be, but this lineup left no doubt where the priorities lie – no Salah, Van Dijk, Alisson, Diaz, Jones or even Szoboszlai in the squad.

And putting the final score aside, perhaps there weren’t too many fans confused by that decision before kickoff.

Of course, the added factor of the night was that Slot himself wasn’t even on the field – his one-game ban meant he was high up in the stands… a bit sheltered from the shocking conditions, unlike his staff in the dugout!

We can reasonably assume that the breaks were pre-planned (assuming there wasn’t a terrible scoreline) so it’s positive to get seniors involved again, and of course the downside of resting other first-team players is that options were limited later in the game .

Yet a midfield of McConnell, Elliott (first start back) and Nyoni (first start ever) was clearly one that cost the Reds control in the second half, with the game closer than it should have been at that stage.

Apart from that, it was good to see the involvement of some of the youngsters on the night, including some who made an impact last year but have been injured and in the end the result saw us through.

Two more games means that, and a semi-final as we continue the defense of our trophy from last year.