A trip to the South Coast on a cold Autumnal evening might not have been Arne Slot’s idea of fun.
And, even without looking at the distance for a Wednesday evening tie, Brighton posed a potential banana skin for Slot’s side. It looked like it could stay that way too, with the side’s going into the break failing to the find the net.
That would quickly change as a Cody Gakpo lead Liverpool found their feet at the Amex Stadium, netting three times in the second half. And Daily Star Sport has a look at three things Slot got right to move on into the latter stages of the Carabao Cup.
Starting Cody Gakpo
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Cody Gakpo has consistently been one of Liverpool’s most reliable players over the past couple of seasons.
And yet, it feels, the Dutchman is always battling to get in the Liverpool starting side. That may well be a compliment to the Reds’ strength in depth, but Gakpo is a game changer – and he proved that again on Wednesday evening by netting the opening goal.
“Get Gakpo in the starting 11 at the weekend, I’ve seen enough,” one fan declared. As another added: “Gakpo starting on Saturday please, this guy’s insane man!”
Not sitting back
(Image: James Marsh/REX/Shutterstock)
With the Reds two goals to the good, Slot looked to his bench and gave the nod to Mohamed Salah.
It would have been tempting to sit back and see out the game, but that’s not the manager that Slot is – and he, instead wanted more goals while rotating his side. “Slot wants a trophy in his first season,” one fan said – and it probably rings true.
It would be a major mark of intent from the Dutchman to pick up his first major silverware on Merseyside at the first time of asking.
Balancing the side
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
It was a mixture of the old guard and the young guns on Wednesday evening at the Amex Stadium.
Alongside Liverpool stalwarts Andy Robertson, Luis Diaz and Dominik Szoboszlai were youngsters Tyler Morton, Conor Bradley and Vitezslav Jaros. It’s the trust in his youngsters that will see more players break into the first team under Slot.
“Much of our young talent has taken steps forward under Slot already,” one fan shared. While a second posted: “Arne Slot has a very clear football identity so it’s easier for him to make changes to the team and retain his identity. These young lads has to take their chances and keep pressing for first team football!”