Liverpool started an extremely inexperienced team against a seasoned Everton side in the FA Cup, and still managed to come out on top.
Even when playing against their arch-rivals’ youth side, Everton can’t seem to get one over Liverpool in any sort of Merseyside derby. On Sunday, the 2 rivals met in the FA Cup 3rd round, and while Everton started a strong team, the Reds continued with a very youthful side, similar to what they put on the pitch in the Carabao Cup, as they look to stay fresh for their title run.
While the Liverpool team was still no pushover, you probably would have expected Everton to come out on top, at least based on the lineups.
Unfortunately for Carlo Ancelotti’s Toffees (still doesn’t sound quite right), they simply could not find the back of the net, and Liverpool won the match through a stunning, curling effort from highly-rated academy prospect Curtis Jones in the 71st minute.
It was Jones’ first senior professional goal and one that quite clearly displayed his massive potential.
https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1213877593059008514
Takumi Minamino, Liverpool’s January signing from Red Bull Salzburg, also made his debut in the match, playing an almost Roberto Firmino-like role in the centre-forward position. Minamino is well-credited with being an extremely versatile player capable of playing pretty much anywhere in the front 4 or 5, and he will surely turn out to be very valuable for Jurgen Klopp moving forward.
As for Everton, they should hang their heads in shame for this loss. A team containing players like Digne, Sigurdsson, Walcott, Richarlison, and pretty much the rest of their usual starting team should not be losing to a Liverpool side that contained only a handful of senior starters.
Although, this is Liverpool we are talking about, and no matter who is on the pitch for them, playing at Anfield is no easy task.
Liverpool will now move on to the 4th round of the FA Cup – a tournament which they would certainly like to win, to claim what would likely be a domestic double. However, I’m sure Jurgen Klopp also has his sights set on an invincible Premier League season – a prospect that deserves undivided attention.