As
one would expect there was an impeccable minutes silence for the 75 people
tragically killed in the plane crash in Colombia, which took the lives of
members of the Chapecoense football team from Brazil.
As
Karl, our Liverpool FC WhatsApp member and Brazilian expert Tom Vickery agreed
the calamitous plane crash brought up memories of the Munich plane crash.
Liverpool
versus Leeds from the late sixties to the mid-seventies this was arguably the
biggest fixture on the Football League roster and Leeds brought the support to
remind us of that fact.
In
the match itself Leeds started at mile a minute forcing Liverpool’s midfield, into
making mistakes by pressing and ensuring very little time could be spent on the
ball. Without the elaborate talents of
the injured trio Coutinho, Lallana and Firmino we struggled to impose our quality
even with a front line led by Sadio Mane and Divock Origi with Georgino Wijnaldum
in support.
Make
no mistake until Divock Origi and young Ben Woodburn crashed home his opening
goal of what we hope will be a stellar Liverpool career this was an old school
cup-tie in which we struggled to cope with the a Leeds side looking to get
behind Klavan and Lucas at every opportunity. With the increasingly wobbly
Moreno returning to the Liverpool fold, we struggled to cope with the well thought
out game plan of Gary Monk’s charges.
Hadi
Sacko produced an excellent shot well saved by Mignolet after fastening on to a
deft through ball by Stuart Dallas.
Liverpool looked lightweight, unable to compete in the white hot heat of
battle being generated by the Leeds travelling support given the bottom tier of
the Anfield Road end. Kenmar
Roofe
also came close testing Mignolet.
Liverpool
finally began to get an assemblance of a foothold in the game. Ovie Ejaria excellent pass found Wijnaldum in
space allowing the former Newcastle man to curl his shot toward the top corner
before keeper Marco Silvestri produced a top class save. As the interval approach Kelvin Phillips ill
advised back pass was almost punished with Emre Can nipping in to poke the ball
just wide of the far post.
There
was greater urgency in the second-half from the home side almost certainly on
the end of stern talking to, but try as they might Leeds looked the most likely
to break the deadlock. The lax approach
which had been Liverpool’s trademark all night was there for all to see as
Kevin Stewart unware of Phillips in close proximity, lost out to Phillips. Roofe picking up the breaking ball,
exquisitely curled the ball over a stranded Mignolet only to see the ball bounce
out after hitting the inside of the post. A lucky break to say the least.
It
was a depressing sight and on a bitterly cold night sitting in the Kop there
was little to lift the spirits. Mignolet
was being kept on his toes by Leeds who were now well on top as Bartley headed
wide from Charlie’s Taylor’s corner and the Liverpool keeper saving well from
Roofe’s effort.
But
the difference between the Premier League and the Championship is often the
quality of the finishing and this was no exception.
Mane
suddenly sprung to life releasing Wijnaldum charging into the area before
seeing his shot rebound out of the inside of the post.
Liverpool
were now looking a different proposition.
The impressive Alexander-Arnold whipped an inviting pacey cross to the
near post which Origi beating off the challenge of Ayling slid in. The sense of relief round the ground was
unmistakeable. Francoise sitting next
roared her approval on her ever visit to Anfield.
Leeds,
both fans and players alike were stunned having dominated the majority of the
match and they were to dealt an ever harsher blow just five minutes later.
Ben
Woodburn took his place in Liverpool folklore and history. Having replaced Kevin Stewart after 67
minutes, the teenage prodigy found himself loitering with intent on the edge of
the 6 yard box when Wijnaldum presented him with an early Christmas presented
with a golden chance which the Wales youth international (still qualified to
play for England) emphatically slammed home quietening the Leeds faithful and
taking Liverpool into the semi-final of the EFL Cup of the third time in three
seasons.
On
nights like this we look to the positives and there were a few.
He
has a long way to go, but with the continual injury woes of Daniel Sturridge
and the long-term injury to Danny Ings, Woodburn’s goal at least gives us something
to latch on to. The young man usurped
Michael Owen, in attendance, by 99 days as the club’s youngest ever scorer at
17 years and 45 days.
And
we should not forget Trent-Alexander who looked accomplished in deputising for
Nathaniel Clyne. Just a few short years
ago, the 19 year old appeared as a game day mascot.
It
is not a fait accompli that the robust Jon Flanagan will return from Burnley as
the back-up right-back with his lack of athleticism. His saving grace my well
be his aptitude to switch over to left-back and with Moreno seemingly heading
for the exit door, Klopp may see the youngster more of a fit to cover for the
ever dependable James Milner.
Man of the
Match:
Trent-Alexander – for a midfielder he plays right-back with the ease of seasoned
veteran. Composed on the ball and very rarely flustered, there was times when
under pressure he sauntered away from challenges with the ease of a very
cultured player.
Liverpool
struggled for most of the match, but credit to the players on the scene (8
changes from the home win over Sunderland) that without the silky touches of
Coutinho, Firmino, Lallana and Sturridge they found their way out of what could
have been an embarrassing exit.
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