Ian Doyle provides analysis following Liverpool’s Europa League match against LASK.
Concern from Konate as Quansah shines
Jarell Quansah had reason to be irritated the last time Liverpool played in the Europa League.
The 20-year-old felt he had scored a dramatic late equalizer – and his first senior goal – to earn the Reds a draw against Toulouse, only for it to be disallowed for a questionable handball against Alexis Mac Allister that occurred so early in the play that it appeared to happen the day before.
This, however, has already been a spectacular debut campaign for Quansah, with the visit of LASK Linz marking the sixth start – three of which have come in Europe.
Quansah once again showed strong defending and remarkable poise on the ball, belying both his young age and lack of experience at this level, as evidenced by racing back to make a terrific block to keep Liverpool’s clean sheet after a rare LASK burst in the second half. Those who led the centre-back through his Academy career should be proud.
Ibrahima Konate, his centre-back partner, was less impressive. The fact that the Frenchman began showed how far he has slipped behind Joel Matip in the pecking order, and after missing numerous games due to injury this season, there is still a rustiness to his play that the Reds are managing.
Regardless, Konate will be aware that there is still much opportunity for development.
Elliott questions Szoboszlai
The midfield is the one part of the’midweek’ team that is focused on making the most of their opportunities.
The cup games have provided a platform for the likes of Harvey Elliott, Ryan Gravenberch, and Wataru Endo, with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai having virtually secured down two of the three berths and Curtis Jones still having the advantage for the third.
Gravenberch’s all-action style and willingness to extend his legs on forward runs ensure that he will always catch the attention, and he is warming to the role, as seen by his performance against Manchester City at the weekend.
While the Dutchman had his moments, Elliott was the more remarkable, his busy performance highlighting why he has consistently made an impression this season, whether from the bench or, as has been the case in every Europa League game this season, as a starter.
The 20-year-old couldn’t have done much more to stake his claim for a second Premier League start of the season against Fulham on Sunday, especially given Szoboszlai’s recent form on the right side of the engine room.
Meanwhile, Endo will benefit from only his fourth full 90-minute game since joining Liverpool, having grown into the game as number six. Mac Allister definitely needed the rest after admitting to falling asleep at a squad meeting before the City game.
Anfield is still uninhabitable.
Jurgen Klopp’s pre-match request for this to be a memorable European night was always going to be one of his bolder statements as Liverpool manager.
While Anfield couldn’t quite rouse itself fully on a very chilly evening — the honors for loudest fans went to the tenacious visiting support – it remains hostile to the away team.
The Reds have now won their first ten home matches in a season in all competitions for the fourth time, having previously done it in 1893/94, when they won the first 16, 1972/73, when they won the first 11, and most recently in 1985/86, when they won the first 13.
The upper deck of the spectacular new Anfield Road stand will be closed for the final time on Sunday’s Premier League visit of Fulham, with supporters returning for the December 17 visit of Manchester United.
And by the time the Europa League’s last 16 round arrives in March, there will almost certainly be more than 60,000 people inside. Those famed European nights could be on the way.
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