Liverpool won tickets to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after a 3-0 win over Southampton.
Young player Jayden Danns scored twice in a 3-0 win over Southampton. Photo: Liverpool FC
In the early morning of February 29 (Vietnam time), Liverpool hosted Southampton in the 5th round of the FA Cup. With a very long injury list, coach Jurgen Klopp had to use 6 young players in the starting lineup.
Notably, midfielder Joe Gomez was pushed into midfield, while Jarell Quansah played as a centre-back with Virgil van Dijk. Lewis Koumas – only 18 years old, is positioned as a central striker.
Other players 21 years old or younger include Conor Bradley (20), James McConnell (19), Bobby Clark (19), Harvey Elliott (20), spread evenly across 3 lines.
After impressive performances when being put on the field in the Carabao Cup final (1-0 win over Chelsea), meeting an opponent playing in the Championship like Southampton is another valuable opportunity for Klopp’s young stars to accumulate. gain experience.
They did not dominate the ball (52%), but the young players of The Kop soon showed their “Klopp quality”, with enthusiastic play. They launched 18 shots in the whole match.
There was also a lot of luck accompanying the red shirt team at Anfield, because within the first 10 minutes of the match, it was the away team that had more opportunities, and was even able to finish the match.
They had a shot into Sékou Mara’s net that was not recognized due to offside, twice caused goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher to work and another time Kamaldeen Sulemana hit the post.
Liverpool’s young stars are flourishing. Photo: Liverpool FC
At the other end, there was little significant play, with McConnell cutting in and passing to Cody Gakpo but the Dutchman could not finish as the away defense applied pressure.
Even if the home team gradually stabilized after that moment, they still could not threaten Joe Lumley until the 42nd minute, when he blocked Elliott’s dangerous shot.
Just 2 minutes later, Lumley was subdued. Koumas received the ball in front of the penalty area, passed the ball past Jack Stephens and finished, the ball hit Jan Bednarek’s foot and changed direction, scoring on his debut.
After the break, Southampton accelerated the pace and Sulemana was denied a goal by Kelleher, or Joe Aribo headed wide.
The last 20 minutes were the mark of Jayden Danns, one of three other young players who entered the field in the second half. In particular, with him were Kaide Gordon (19) and Trey Nyoni, who was only 16 years old.
Although still very young, Danns showed coolness in finishing, when he punched the ball past goalkeeper Lumley after Elliott’s through ball in the 73rd minute.
In the 88th minute, Lumley tried to block Bradley’s shot, but the ball fell to Danns and he easily completed the double.
Winning 3-0, Liverpool extended their winning streak in all competitions to 5 matches. The Kop won the right to enter the quarterfinals and will clash with Manchester United.
