Liverpool 5-5 Arsenal: Five things we learned as dramatic win creates Anfield memories and a fixture headache

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David Lynch30 October 2019

As the final seconds of an utterly thrilling Carabao Cup tie ticked away at Anfield, the home fans could be heard enthusiastically singing “Liverpool, top of the league!”

They were, of course, utterly right to be thinking of the Premier League in those moments, given that competition’s status as a priority had led to 11 changes and, seemingly, an exit at the hands of Arsenal.

But then Divock Origi showed that even the Reds’ second XI have that never-say-die attitude so often seen from Jurgen Klopp’s first-choice team before that point was wholly proven by Curtis Jones’ shootout winner.

For the fans who screamed the roof off Anfield in the aftermath of that penalty, it won’t take long to refocus on this weekend’s trip to Aston Villa - Liverpool crave a league title more than anything else.

But the young players involved have made memories that will last a lifetime, and earned themselves another outing in this competition.

Reds face fixture logjam after victory

Action Images via Reuters

Although no professional footballer ever wants to lose a game, there was an element of convenience to that outcome for Liverpool here.

The quarter-final stage of this season’s League Cup is scheduled to be played in the week commencing December 16, which just happens to be when the Reds are set to get their Club World Cup campaign under way in Qatar.

Quite how they are going to navigate this fixture pile-up without splitting their squad in half at that point is anyone’s guess.

Both Liverpool and the people in charge of scheduling at the EFL have a huge headache awaiting them.

Defensive struggles must be put in context

Action Images via Reuters

Conceding five goals at home is about as far from a defensively sound performance as it gets, but it would be wise not to go too over the top in criticism of those involved.

You simply can’t expect a backline featuring two teenagers, a midfielder, and an academy goalkeeper to pick up where the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker have left off.

And that is especially true when they are ‘protected’ by a midfield comprised solely of forward-thinking players who rarely feature together.

The post-match analysis might be harsh, but you can be sure that Klopp won’t have lost any faith in any of those selected in his defence off the back of tonight’s game.

Inconsistent Keita a cause for concern

Action Images via Reuters

After following up an impressive cameo against Manchester United with an even better 90 minutes against Genk, it looked like we were finally getting ready to see the real Naby Keita.

The Guinean just hasn’t got going since his big-money move from RB Leipzig, but those recent green shoots provided hope that his best was on its way.

Unfortunately, tonight’s showing provided another reminder of why Keita is still struggling to displace both Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum from those more advanced midfield roles.

The 24-year-old was part of a second string starting XI, but that was no excuse for the countless loose passes and poor touches he showed in among more encouraging moments.

If another injury is the reason for his withdrawal early in the second period, it doesn’t bode well for his chances of showing his best any time soon.

Origi the man for the big moment again

AFP via Getty Images

By contrast, one player who won’t have done his chances any harm this evening is Divock Origi.

As part of a forward line not familiar with each others’ movements, the Belgian struggled to put on a show of fluid link-up play from the left.

But, whatever his downsides as a player, Origi knows where the net is, and he showed that with two brilliantly taken finishes in the second half.

His list of memorable contributions to Liverpool wins continues to grow and that is why Klopp will keep calling on him as the first man off the bench when his team are struggling.

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