Liverpool’s Imposing Squad Depth Displayed in Comfortable Win over Tottenham

ANFIELD, Liverpool — Jurgen Klopp made 11 changes to his Liverpool side, yet the outcome for the EFL Cup fourth-round tie against Tottenham Hotspur was very much the same. That is, very much the same as the Premier League game at Anfield against West Bromwich Albion four days earlier.

In both instances, Liverpool played some slick attacking football, created excellent chances, went two goals ahead but ultimately made it flattering for the visiting team by gifting them a way back into the game.

The truth, though, is that this never looked in doubt, despite the 2-1 scoreline suggesting otherwise after Spurs’ penalty allowed them a chance of forcing extra time.

The home side created enough chances to have won this game by, as Klopp said post-match, “three, four, five”—the manager noting though that we “don’t live in dream land”.

For the manager, it was ideal that he was able to make such wholesale changes and yet still progress to the quarter finals and do so with relative comfort.

But then, when you can call on strikers Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi to lead your second-string XI, that really should be the case.

Klopp though was brave and bold in handing a debut to 18-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold, a full debut to fellow 18-year-old Ovie Ejaria, a first Anfield start for 20-year-old Marko Grujic, plus a first start of the season for 23-year-old Kevin Stewart.

While it was a big night for the trio of Arnold, Ejaria and Grujic, it was Stewart who was up against the club that released him two years ago and had a point to prove. The Englishman has developed into a tidy holding midfielder during his time at Liverpool’s academy, having been primarily a right-back when he arrived at the club following his release from White Hart Lane.

Stewart put in a quietly effective performance, especially considering the youthfulness of Liverpool’s midfield. Quite how he’s never been called up for England at any level seems baffling.

Attack

Bringing in Origi and Sturridge, Klopp opted for a change in formation for the first time this season—another brave move that showed his confidence in his squad and the coaching taking place at Melwood.

It was the third time that the two forwards had started a game together, with the two previous occasions both being away to Southampton last season—in the League Cup and the Premier League. Across those two games they’d hit six goals—three each—between them.

It was Sturridge who added to that tally with two goals against Mauricio Pochettino’s side, one in each half.

The first showed his instinct in front of goal, pouncing to …

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