Ah the Capital One Cup - you provide such divisiveness. Purists, like the current Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, still see the benefit of trying to put everything you can (within reason) into cup competitions. Others say they aren't worth it and it would actually be better for a team to be eliminated so they can concentrate on the league. None are fully right or wrong. Both have valid arguments.
What is interesting is despite his claims of still being acclimated to English culture and not valuing this competition, Klopp actually fielded the first "Cup squad" Liverpool have probably put forth this season. Despite the lack of experience, Liverpool had that youthful exhuberance and created some decent chances. Roberto Firmino began to show flashes of what has been expected of him by the Kop and featured heavily in the opening goal of the match, which was smartly finished off by Nathaniel Clyne.
What made the goal even better - besides the obvious fact that it put the team ahead - was it was the kind of goal Liverpool have conceded so often. It was on a run of play, Clyne snuck in behind the defender who was appealing for offside and all he had to do was tuck it in. No easy task, but supporters have had to see that same goal so many times but against them, it was nice to see the Reds take advantage.
As is their way, Bournemouth put a lot into attack and were no slouch. Adam Bogdan had to deny three chances from Junior Stanislas alone. Nevertheless, the Reds held a slim possession advantage as the first 45 came to a close. Things never quite end up easy for Liverpool though.
Right out of the gate, Bournemouth created a chance that was narrowly missed. Shaun MacDonald won a header and the defense was caught ball watching. The ball barely slid wide of the post and MacDonald probably should've been awarded a penalty kick for his shirt almost being removed by the Liverpool defender.
On the flip side, Liverpool should have been up by two in the 58th minute. Good pressure from the midfield led to a turnover and Firmino raced into the box. Under light pressure, he fired a shot that beat the keeper but was always curling away from the left post as the shot came from the right. Firmino really should have done better and it was one of those chances that the club could've rued at the end of the contest.
The possession continued to favor the Reds as the gas slowly went out of Bournemouth. Liverpool didn't create a ton of chances but they were still relatively lively on the ball. Joao Teixeira almost scored after Joe Allen earned a free kick in the 80th minute, however it was neatly saved.
Bogdan was almost lulled to sleep for the second half only to see a toe ball from Matt Ritchie almost sneak in the near post. The secondary keeper was wise to it though and quickly got down to save it. In the end that was enough to hold on for a night of firsts. It was Bogdan's first win in regulation time. It was Klopp's first win with the club. Clyne's first goal with the team ended up being the game winner.
Much like the tournament itself, there were good aspects and bad. Getting the bad over with first, Liverpool again failed to score more than one goal. Liverpool have only scored more than once in one game all season, a 3-2 win over Aston Villa. Despite the good play from Firmino, Teixeira, Jordan Ibe and several others, they aren't getting statistical production from their scorers. Eventually the players you expect to produce need to start producing.
On the good side, fans got to see a lot of the young talent they had been clamoring for. Teixeira looked very comfortable on the ball and like Ibe and Raheem Sterling before him, has a chance to be a special player if brought up correctly. As mentioned, the goal Liverpool scored was from the run of play instead of a set piece. And what is more, the club won. Not convincingly or spectacularly, but at least the cloud of Klopp's first win has evaporated.
Going forward, it falls on each person to decide what matters to them. Are Liverpool still in that phase where a win is a win, no matter how or who they come against? Or is showing glimpses and flashes of good play with little to show for it not quite enough. Despite what most pundits will tell you, there is no real answer. Each person has their own view of it.
The bottom line is Liverpool are still alive. Think what you will of the Capital One Cup, but LFC have made the quarterfinals for the fifth time in the last decade. They're still alive after spectacular crashes from the competition by Chelsea and Arsenal the day before. They're still alive in a competition that can provide great experience for the squad players. They still have a chance for silverware, regardless of the prestige.
Random Thoughts:
- It would be nice not to have to watch these matches on virus laden streams in the US. Even if I had BeInSports, which I don't, the match wasn't shown live.
- Though most vocal fans hate him, I thought Dejan Lovren had a good game. He was solid in the back and only made one clear mistake in the second half that was quickly cleaned up by Clyne.
- Divock Origi was more lively on the ball but clearly has more developing to do. The sad thing is he may not be what was advertised, but he is still young enough to change any negative perception he has earned of late.
- Brendan Rodgers was more animated than many Premier League managers when his team scored, but Klopp takes it to another level. He really is a football man and turns into a fan when the ball hits the net, despite his position. It's refreshing to see.
Walk On
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