Tuesday marked the second anniversary of what was, in one respect, Liverpool’s biggest trophy. If the Club World Cup was a product of conquering Europe, it came half way between securing the pieces of silverware they prize most: the 2019 Champions League winners lifted the Premier League title in 2020.
Jurgen Klopp has brought the major prizes to Anfield in his reign, but not some of those that seem minor in comparison. The German reached the League Cup final in his first few months in England but Liverpool’s last domestic knockout trophy came in 2012 under Kenny Dalglish.
Klopp has seemed to prioritise two competitions but his assistant Pep Lijnders argued Wednesday's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Leicester can help his players cement their place alongside the Anfield greats. “If you want to be a proper Liverpool legend you need to win national cups as well,” the Dutchman said. “That is part of our club mentality, to see the next game as the final. We will put everything into the game: our hunger, our desire.”
The challenge is for a weakened Liverpool team to show their strength, just as they did in San Siro. “If you saw our line-up against AC Milan away, everyone probably thought: ‘Wow, that’s brave,’” Lijnders said. “We thought: ‘Game on.” Liverpool won 2-1. Now they host Leicester unsure which players Brendan Rodgers will pick, after a Covid-enforced break, but conscious that Tottenham returned from a similar spell on the sidelines with a terrific display in Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool.
Now Klopp is without the suspended Andy Robertson. Nat Phillips, Harvey Elliott and the San Siro hero Divock Origi remain injured, while coronavirus rules out Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara and Curtis Jones. Jordan Henderson could make a surprise return after a cold. “He called to train again,” said Lijnders. “He is the kind of player we have to slow down. He reflects our willpower and determination.”
Tottenham v Liverpool ratings
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TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Hugo Lloris - 7 The Frenchman made a magnificent reflex stop from Alexander-Arnold and a handful of more straightforward saves. He was alert when coming off his line to snuff out danger. EPA -
Davinson Sanchez - 7 The Colombian made a tremendous last-ditch challenge on Mane but lost the striker before Liverpool’s equaliser. He made plenty of blocks and clearances. AFP -
Eric Dier - 7 The 27-year-old was assured when defending and used his passing ability to set Spurs going forward. His balls over the top turned the Liverpool back four around. He is suited to a back three. Getty -
Ben Davies - 7 The Welshman played a big part in keeping Salah under control. He thrived in his role on the left side of a back three. Getty -
Emerson Royal - 5 The Brazilian got away with a shove on Jota in the area and had difficulty coping with Mane. He was poleaxed by Robertson, who received a warranted red card. Getty -
Harry Winks - 8 The 25-year-old was able to find time and space in the middle of the park. He had a hand in the equaliser and provided two good chances for Son. AP -
Tanguy Ndombele - 5 The Frenchman’s pass to Kane for the first goal was a rare highlight. He disappeared for lengthy periods and was replaced by Skipp in the 64th minute. Getty -
Ryan Sessegnon - 7 The 21-year-old had to restrain his attacking instincts to help keep Salah quiet but still got forward. It was an encouraging display on his first Premier League start for almost two years. He was replaced by Reguilon with four minutes to go. Getty -
Dele Alli - 7 The 25-year-old missed a sitter and was a bit casual when passing to Kane in the box. He showed signs of returning to form before being replaced by Moura with nine minutes left. AP -
Son Heung-min - 6 The South Korean scored his side’s second goal but he also wasted two big chances. His pace troubled the defence but he was not at his sharpest. EPA -
Harry Kane - 6 The England captain struck with a great goal but will rue a plethora of missed chances. He was some way short of his best and should have been sent off for a wild challenge on Robertson. Getty -
SUBS: Oliver Skipp - 7 The 21-year-old came on for Ndombele in the 64th minute. He provided more support for the defence and brought more vigour to the midfield. Getty -
Lucas Moura - 5 The Brazilian joined the action for Alli with nine minutes to go. He spent more time in his own half despite Liverpool being down to 10 men. Getty -
Sergio Reguilon - 5 The Spaniard replaced Sessegnon for the last four minutes. He saw little of the ball but did miscue a chance to cross. Reuters -
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 5 The Brazilian made some great saves, particularly from Alli, but had moments of confusion coming off the line. The most costly of them was the moment of misjudgement that led to Son’s goal. Getty -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7 The 23-year-old tested Lloris twice and picked out Robertson for the second goal. He worked hard defensively, too. Getty -
Joel Matip - 6 The centre back was worried by Son’s pace and was caught out on occasion. He tried to bring the ball forward but might have been better off passing to more creative team-mates. Reuters -
Ibrahima Konate - 7 The Frenchman made a splendid block from Kane but allowed the striker to drift away from him before the opening goal. Overall another encouraging performance. EPA -
Andrew Robertson - 6 The Scot was brilliant, creating Jota’s opener and scoring his team’s second goal. Kane should have been given a red card for his challenge on the left back but the 27-year-old was deservedly sent off for a brutal hack on Emerson. Getty -
Tyler Morton - 4 It was always going to be tough for the 19-year-old to impress on his first Premier League start and it was a harsh learning experience. He was swamped by the Spurs midfield and replaced by Firmino after an hour. Reuters -
Naby Keita - 5 The Guinean rarely imposed himself in Liverpool’s makeshift midfield. His shot from distance had Lloris scrambling. EPA -
James Milner - 5 The 35-year-old no longer has the legs to play whole games at this pace. He used space well and was combative in the tackle but was unable to set the team’s tempo. EPA -
Mohamed Salah - 5 The Egyptian was barely a factor against the packed defence. He remained eager even though chances were hard to find. EPA -
Diogo Jota - 6 The Portuguese had barely been in the game before he equalised but he headed home with aplomb. He could have had a penalty after being barged in the back. Withdrawn in stoppage time for Gomez. EPA -
Sadio Mane - 6 The Senegalese made life awkward for Emerson and combined well with Robertson. He was unable to carve out much danger and was taken off for Tsimikas with eight minutes to go. AFP -
SUBS: Roberto Firmino - 6 The Brazilian joined the action for Morton on the hour and linked play nicely without ever worrying Spurs unduly. EPA -
Kostas Tsimikas - 6 The Greek was sent on with eight minutes left for Mane. He took every opportunity to get forward but could not find a killer cross. EPA -
Joe Gomez - 5 The centre back replaced Jota in stoppage time to bolster the defence. His presence was reassuring as Liverpool ensured they held on to the point. Getty
If Liverpool end up with a youthful side, Klopp’s preference for a smaller squad can create chances. “The one thing if you want to have a healthy club is to have a proper inside pathway to become a first-team player,” Lijnders said. “We want to give them the opportunity to grow inside our club. We have five Liverpool debuts in the League Cup this year. That is healthy.”
One of those debutants, midfielder Tyler Morton, has gone on to start against Porto, AC Milan and Tottenham. Lijnders looked at the recent past to see other benefits. “It is a clear strategic decision we made,” he explained. “Without a small squad, we would not have Trent Alexander-Arnold, we wouldn’t have Curtis Jones, we wouldn’t have Nat Phillips, we wouldn’t have Neco Williams.”
Now Alexander-Arnold could be among the rested regulars as Klopp. Liverpool wanted the Premier League to postpone the games on December 28, when they face Leicester again, two days after meeting Leeds. “If you want a quality team it is important the players don’t accumulate fatigue,” Lijnders said. “We have to respect the fact that a Premier League player needs 72 hours to recover. We think it is absurd we have to play within 48 hours.”
But for Wednesday, they will turn to some of the supporting cast. Manchester City equalled Liverpool’s record of eight League Cup wins last year but the current campaign offers the Merseysiders the chance to re-establish a lead and Lijnders said: “In the beginning of the season we speak with our players to say we want to create memories together, we want to create special games together and we are going to try and make it a cup night for the fans.”
