At times at the Amex Stadium during Wednesday evening’s Carabao Cup clash between Brighton and Liverpool, it felt like we were watching another Caoimhin Kelleher masterclass.
In recent years, Liverpool’s second-choice keeper has made this competition his own, including outstanding performances in two finals against Chelsea, but it was third choice keeper, Vitezslav Jaros, who earned the plaudits on this occasion, helping Liverpool to a 3-2 win that sets up a quarterfinal at Southampton.
Alisson Becker’s hamstring injury has put the spotlight onto Liverpool’s goalkeeping department. Kelleher is once again doing his best Alisson impression, so he was given the night off as Arne Slot shuffled his pack for this midweek cup tie. As he did with Brighton’s crosses all evening, the goalkeeper seized his opportunity.
Slot has frequently brought up Jaros when talking about the depth of his goalkeeping department. In his first senior appearance for Liverpool he justified that praise.
The 23-year-old looked more settled than during his surprise cameo against Crystal Palace, when he was thrust into the action after Alisson’s injury. He made the crucial save from Eberechi Eze, but his teammates tried to eliminate risk and nerves were evident.
This was different. Having been informed by Slot the day before that he would be starting, Jaros was able to properly prepare. When he casually performed a drag-back in his own box while being pressed in the opening minutes, it was a sign of a player more than comfortable in his surroundings.
He is no rookie, having experienced loan spells with St Patrick’s Athletic (where he was voted the best goalkeeper in the League of Ireland), Notts County, Stockport County and last season at Austrian side Sturm Graz, helping them complete a league and cup double.
The opposition during those loans may not have quite been Premier League standard, but Jaros showed he can cut it at that level, producing key saves at vital moments.
He made himself big to deny Tariq Lamptey when one-on-one in the game’s first big chance. He saved his best for the second half, changing direction and diving to his left to palm Simon Adingra’s header onto the post. The performance further justified the club’s decision to hold on to Jaros after he had asked to leave in the summer.
He was unfortunate to concede twice on the night. He may feel he should have done better for Brighton’s opener, parrying a shot straight to Adingra, but there was nothing he could do for the second due to a deflection.
His calmness and confidence in possession was equally impressive. Brighton’s press was high and fast, Jaros’ distribution was cool and composed. He wasn’t fazed.
“Everybody could see how important his saves were,” Slot said during his post match press conference. “The first big chance of the game was for them when he saved a one v one. We all remember his saves in the second half.
“But he also added to that with how comfortable he was with the ball at his feet — making the right choices of when to go long and when to go short. It also helped him the quality that Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah brought in the build up. I like that triangle a lot.”
His contribution made sure the theme continued, passed from Jurgen Klopp to Slot. When needed, Liverpool’s young players stand up in this competition and provide the perfect supporting act.
Last season Conor Bradley, Jarell Quansah, Bobby Clark, James McConnell, Jayden Danns, Lewis Koumas and Trey Nyoni were all part of the Carabao Cup final matchday squad.
Tyler Morton was one of Liverpool’s young players out on loan last season at Hull City so missed the action.
Liverpool’s summer stance was they were not willing to allow Morton to leave on loan again, but were willing to listen to permanent offers, valuing the midfielder at around £20million.
RB Leipzig and Atalanta expressed an interest. Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen did too, with the former Liverpool midfielder rating Morton highly. Nothing materialised and it has not been an easy few months for the 22-year-old. Having been used to playing regularly over the last two seasons he hasn’t had the opportunity to build on that. His attitude has been excellent and he has worked hard in training, waiting for his chance.
It came and he produced a tidy performance, one full of energy, aggression and keeping his team ticking from the engine room. The standout contribution was his clever pass into Cody Gakpo that set-up Liverpool’s opener.
Jaros and Morton are not “kids” but are inexperienced at the top level. There are few remaining at Liverpool. Bobby Clark was sold to RB Salzburg, Stefan Bajcetic followed on loan, while there have been Championship loans for Ben Doak (Middlesbrough) and Koumas (Stoke City). Danns and McConnell would have followed but moves were scuppered due to injuries. Instead, under-21 forward Ranel Young was named on the bench.
Slot joked in his pre-match press conference about recalling Ben Doak due to injuries to Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa leaving him with only four senior attackers. It meant more minutes in the legs for senior players than Slot may have liked but that is the difficulty of balancing a young player’s development in relation to the first team.
Nyoni offered further glimpses of his talent in the second half – and was available as his best pathway is viewed by the club as training regularly with the senior set-up rather than on loan.
It is a testament to their progression that Bradley and Quansah are no longer viewed as youngsters.
Bradley fared better after returning from injury. Quansah slumping into his chair after being substituted summed up his mood. The centre-back is having a tricky time. His poor pass led to Brighton’s first goal and their second deflected in off of him.
It followed his own goal in the last round, and being substituted at half time on the opening day. Yet, Slot was keen to praise both him and Joe Gomez.
The latest young players to graduate from Liverpool’s academy provided the platform for the club’s stars to secure the victory. Back in March it was Virgil van Dijk’s header at Wembley, on the south coast it was his compatriot Gakpo’s power as he netted two before Luis Diaz scored the eventual winner.
(Top photo: Adam Davy/Getty Images)
