Arne Slot is seen in the stands during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Southampton and Liverpool at St Mary's Stadium on December 18, 2024 (Image: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Liverpool march on in all competitions this season. Not content with topping the Premier League and Champions League tables, the Reds booked their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals after a much-changed team beat Southampton 2-1 on Wednesday night.
Arne Slot will have been encouraged by the performances of Wataru Endo, Tyler Morton and Jarell Quansah during the game, with Harvey Elliott and Darwin Nunez on the scoresheet for the Reds.
So what can Liverpool expect from the fringe stars who played such an important role in the victory over Saints? Our LFC jury have their say.
Rhys Buchanan (Aigburth, @Rhys_Buchanan) - Elliott exactly what Liverpool have been missing
To say it’s been a breath of fresh air having Harvey Elliott back in the side again would be a massive understatement. Although The Reds have been flying without the 21-year-old during his absence through injury, since returning, he’s shown exactly what we’ve been missing by way of his sheer creativity and precision in front of goal.
Elliott was unlucky not to net a wonderful curling effort against Fulham during his appearance last weekend as it bent agonisingly past the post, but got a deserved goal with against Southampton during mid-week which helped us progress into the semi-final of the League Cup.
With the goals ever so slightly drying-up in the team of late, his overall attacking threat and quality will definitely be an exciting option in the coming months!
James Noble (Worcestershire, @james_noble98) - Slot's options increased by Endo and Chiesa
In the midst of one of the season’s busiest spells, Liverpool’s on-field options, encouragingly, look to be steadily broadening. Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup quarter-final win at Southampton highlighted that. The widely anticipated rotation of personnel was accompanied by a good retention of quality.
Wataru Endo’s display was among the standouts. The Japan captain’s first club start in seven weeks saw him play at centre-back and at times fulfil a hybrid role by stepping into midfield. It wasn’t too dissimilar to what Ryan Gravenberch did for part of his consummate showing in challenging circumstances against Fulham on Saturday. Endo still appears unlikely to become a regular starter, but during his substitute showings he has oozed shrewdness, while his and Gravenberch’s attributes mean the Reds have another potential string to their tactical bow.
Federico Chiesa’s second-half showing also gave reason for Christmas cheer. There were elements of rustiness, understandably, but also plenty of evidence of the Italian’s class. Those two late efforts, both of which looked goalbound prior to good blocks, had an unerring accuracy about them. His two-footedness, clever manipulation of the ball and directness have the potential to be invaluable from the start or bench.
The 27-year-old is another who expands Arne Slot’s options in several positions. The more on-field options, the more unpredictability, the better.
Andrew Cullen (Widnes, @brothersred5) - Nunez assessment depends on your lens
It was pleading to see Darwin Nunez on the scoresheet against Southampton. He is often maligned by opposition fans and praised by Liverpool fans. With Jota’s return, it feels likely that Darwin will now face further time on the peripheries of the first team, used as an impact substitute, or utilised in cup fixtures.
With the chaotic fixture list, though, Darwin will continue to get opportunities to demonstrate his quality. What can be questioned is his consistency in front of goal, but what cannot be questioned is his work ethic. While he may not always be on the scoresheet, or providing assists, he is invariably causing some disturbance to opposition back lines. The question that often ruminates in supporters’ minds is whether this is enough? Is it okay for a striker, purchased for a significant sum, not to be churning out 20-25 goals per season. That is after all what high quality expensive strikers do.
The Nunez conundrum depends on what lens you use. If fans expect Nunez to replicate those historic strikers who have graced Anfield ( Torres, Suarez, Mane etc.), then it feels like there will always be fan disappointment. However, widen the lens, or apply a different lens, and the picture or assessment of Nunez shifts to a degree. If Nunez is viewed as a valuable squad player who can, on a given day, produce a moment of magic, or contribute to a goal, or offer a plan B, then the Nunez assessment is much rosier.
Are there other more suitable options across Europe who could act as a better replacement for the mercurial Uruguayan for a similar prize? With Liverpool challenging on all fronts, Nunez is likely to play an important role in our charge for domestic and European success.