Federico Chiesa shines in Liverpool win vs Southampton as Slot admits some performances were ‘far from happy’

Arne Slot admitted he was “removed from pleased with just a few particular person performances” as Liverpool narrowly overcame Southampton 2-1 within the Carabao Cup at Anfield on Tuesday.

After the Merseyside derby win over Everton, Slot made wholesale adjustments, naming a totally new beginning XI and together with 5 academy gamers on the bench. The technique was daring, however the price was obvious: Liverpool struggled for cohesion, notably within the first half, with disjointed passing and a scarcity of tempo blunting their traditional attacking menace.

Alexander Isak broke the impasse late within the first half, registering his first purpose for the membership, just for Shea Charles to equalise within the 76th minute. Hugo Ekitike then scored a dramatic winner, persevering with Liverpool’s document of late deciders however moments later, he was despatched off for celebrating by eradicating his shirt, incomes a suspension for the Premier League journey to Crystal Palace.

Regardless of the uneven show, Slot was fast to spotlight the positives, singling out Federico Chiesa, Andy Robertson and the 2 debutants: goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and defender Giovanni Leoni.

Chiesa, particularly, made a direct affect, creating 4 possibilities, taking 4 pictures, and registering 13 touches within the opposition field probably the most of any Liverpool participant.

“I can settle for utterly {that a} staff that performs for the primary time collectively, gamers that haven’t performed for a very long time, that they don’t play as a staff completely. However what I all the time wish to see is gamers that try to work laborious. So I stated at half-time, for me it’s utterly not a coincidence that Federico picked the ball and assisted on the primary [goal] as a result of he was the one, for my part, that was most concerned within the sport, tried probably the most, labored the toughest,” Slot stated.

The Dutchman additionally highlighted the function of Andy Robertson who was captain on the night time as a mannequin of professionalism and intelligence on the pitch:

“After which it wasn’t a coincidence once more that he was the person that made a deep run, nice ball by Robbo [Andy Robertson]by the way in which – who additionally has received a lot at this membership and likewise understands the right way to play this sport: not underestimate it, simply all the time be able to play. That’s additionally the way in which to get your self both again within the staff or get as a lot taking part in minutes as you need.”

Slot’s reward of Chiesa and Robertson was a transparent sign to the squad: laborious work and involvement will earn you alternatives, even in an inexperienced facet.

The efficiency of Liverpool’s debutants additionally caught the coach’s eye. Mamardashvili and Leoni each impressed, although Leoni’s night ended prematurely after he was stretchered off within the second half following a worrying harm.

Not each participant met Slot’s requirements, nonetheless. When requested about those that underperformed, he remained intentionally imprecise:

“No. However I feel these gamers who I imply, I feel they know already.”

Ekitike was a transparent offender. Regardless of scoring the winner, he was proven a second yellow card for celebrating by eradicating his shirt, following an earlier reserving for kicking the ball away in frustration. Slot was blunt:

“It was pointless, sure, and it was silly, yep.”

Jeremie Frimpong additionally struggled, failing to make the affect anticipated after promising performances since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen.

Slot acknowledged the problem of managing a largely new staff in a aggressive cup fixture:

“I can settle for utterly {that a} staff that performs for the primary time collectively, gamers that haven’t performed for a very long time, that they don’t play as a staff completely. However what I all the time wish to see is gamers that try to work laborious.”

Waiting for Crystal Palace, Slot advised adjustments are seemingly. Conor Bradley is anticipated to return to the beginning XI, whereas Alexander Isak might substitute Ekitike if match. Ought to Isak not begin, Chiesa could also be deployed by the center once more after his spectacular midweek displaying.

Final season finalists managed a 2-1 victory which ensures passage to the fourth spherical of the Carabao Cup, however Slot’s focus is evident: efficiency, effort, and consistency matter as a lot as outcomes.

“That’s why I used to be pleased with just a few particular person performances however removed from pleased with just a few different particular person performances,” Slot stated.

Even in victory, the message is unmistakable: gamers should again phrases with work, and those that do, like Chiesa and Robertson, set the usual for the remainder of the squad.