Arne Slot admits he’s got a selection headache after Cody Gakpo scored twice to book Liverpool’s passage to the quarter finals of the Carabao Cup with a 3-2 victory at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Dutch international Gakpo impressed on his return to the starting line-up as the competition holders earned themselves a trip to Southampton in the last eight.
With Luis Diaz netting Liverpool’s third, there’s some serious competition for the place on the left side of the attack ahead of Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Brighton at Anfield.
“In the second half of last season Cody scored a lot of goals so he’s been a good player for Liverpool for a long time now. He continues doing that and that’s a good thing,” Slot said.
“For me, he is a regular starter. Not starting every game but he’s started on a regular basis. There is tough competition with Luis Diaz. It’s normal at a club like Liverpool to have two quality players for every position.
“If you look at Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah, who was unlucky with the goals we conceded, their overall performances I liked and they are in competition with Virgil (van Dijk) and Ibou (Konate).
“We knew it was going to be a difficult game because of their style of play and their recruitment over the past few years. To come away with a win is very pleasing for the long term. I really liked what I saw from players who haven’t played much so far this season. That makes it even harder for me to make line ups in the upcoming weeks.”
Slot made eight changes with Caoimhin Kelleher, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch among those given the night off.
With Diogo Jota sidelined by injury, Slot didn’t want to risk starting Darwin Nunez so opted to play without a recognised central striker until the Uruguayan was introduced late on.
Midfield duo Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones were tasked with playing in advanced central roles.
Slot said: “Playing those two without a No 9 you are always a bit worried whether you will have enough runs in behind the last line.
“Both like to play in the midfield and make combinations there. What they did really well was combining being an extra man in midfield with making the deep runs as well. It helped that Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo were a constant threat in behind.
“I prefer to play with a No 9 of course. Darwin was available but I didn’t think it would be good for him to play having just played three games and looking at the upcoming schedule.”
Liverpool’s head coach also praised young goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros, who impressed on his full debut for the club.
“Everybody could see how important his saves were,” Slot added.
“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.
“What also helped him was the quality that Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah brought in the build up. I liked that triangle a lot.”
Liverpool return to action on Saturday with a home Premier League match against Brighton.
(Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
