Isak and Chiesa Deliver as Liverpool Beat Southampton in Cup Tie | OneFootball

Liverpool 2 – 1 Crystal Palace – EFL Cup Player Ratings

The EFL cup losing finalists of last season welcomed newly relegated Southampton to Anfield with a completely changed eleven. The chances were offered up to those wanting to get amongst the weekend’s first team elite in this intriguing EFL Cup third round tie.

The lineup and subsequent ratings are listed below.

Giorgi Mamardashvili – 7.0

The giant Georgian stopper was brilliant in the first half with some impactful Dave’s keeping his team level early on.

After the restart, the Reds’ backup keeper was let down for the equaliser as he was beaten at close range.

Jeremie Frimpong – 6.0

The Dutch fullback was poor on the ball through the opening phase, as he struggled to make the correct on-ball decisions.

As the game resumed, the former Bayer Leverkusen flyer was energised but largely ineffective.

Andy Robertson – 6.0

The Scottish international was brought back in to add experience to the backline and allowed good communication around him in a solid first half.

After the intermission, the veteran full-back was less effective as the game progressed into an end-to-end contest.

Joe Gomez  – 5.0

The England international defender was a fairly solid entity at the back and looked assured in his work, guiding his teenage partner through the half.

In the second period, the former Charlton man was less aggressive and more sporadic as he struggled to keep a tight ship.

Giovanni Leoni – 7.0

The teenage prodigy made his debut and looked composed, as he continually showed the right technique and temperament on and off the ball.

After the intermission, the aspiring Italy international was a little rattled as the visitors surged forward.

Subbed – 81 mins

Trey Nyoni – 7.0

The gifted central midfielder was tasked as the controller and showed good touches and intelligence.

When the match resumed, the talented playmaker was decent on the ball and tried to maintain a balance for his side.

Wataru Endō – 6.0

The Japanese midfielder was the screen to an untested rearguard who was able to disrupt any advancement of the opposition.

After the half-time break, the former Bundesliga enforcer was at fault for the equaliser as he misjudged his header from a corner.

Curtis Jones – 6.0

The England international was a steady conduit between midfield and attack, as he saw plenty of the ball.

After the break, the former academy skipper was reliable before leaving the field.

Subbed – 57 mins

Rio Ngumoha – 6.0

The teenage attacker was a common outlet and was always looking to run at his marker.

In the second half, the jet-heeled former Chelsea starlet was keen but limited in tea opportunities to shine.

Subbed – 74 mins

Alexander Isak – 7.0

The Sweden striker was allowed to build his chronic load and showed an excited crowd a wonderful glimpse of his potential, as he glided into the box and delivered a dangerous low cross late in the half. The world-class attacker scored late in the half as he slotted around the keeper with a first-time effort.

Subbed – 45 mins

Federico Chiesa – 8.0

The Italy international star was given a rare start and had a powerful low shot saved well early on. His energy created the opening goal as he charged into the box before squaring for Isak to guide the ball home.

In the second 45 minutes, the former Juventus man was determined to make something happen as he drove about the final third with gusto.

Man of the match

Substitutions;

Hugo Ekitike – 6.0 (on 45)

Came on to add more variation and should have headed home after the equaliser. Scored the winner before he saw red.

Conor Bradley – 5.0 (on 57)

Came on to add energy.

Jayden Danns – 7.0 (on 74)

Came on to add a more direct threat and great determination.

Milos Kerkez – 6.0 (on 81)

Came on.

The Manager;

Arne Slot – 7.0

The Dutch head coach was keen to put a completely rotated side out to ensure the first team elite were rested for the trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The substitutions were about getting minutes into legs and apart from Ekitike, they weren’t entirely inspired.

Steven Smith’s Pre-match Prediction;

Liverpool 4 – 1 Southampton