Liverpool FC progressed through the third round of the EFL Carabao Cup by beating Tottenham Hotspur at home at Anfield, 3-1. Andoni Iraola made 10 changes from the weekend, with only Ronald Araujo keeping his place in the starting XI.
The heavy rotation meant that several youngsters, including Trey Nyoni, James McConnell, Lewis Koumas, and Rio Ngumoha, all got the nod to start. The head coach had plenty of good things to say about the kids in his post-game comments:
I was happy for them. In different
positions, different demands. But I think the best thing is probably that they were [tired] when I subbed them; Trey [Nyoni] was cramping, Rio [Ngumoha] couldn’t have run a lot more, [James] McConnell the same. When this happens, it’s because you’ve given us what you’ve got. They have especially been very, very energetic, with the willingness of winning the duels, making them feel their presence. I was happy for them.
On Lewis Koumas’ energy:
I said it during the week and I say it for a reason. He does it in training every day. He is very clear what he needs to do, what the team needs. Also, the energy he shows is contagious for the rest, when you see the ones up front giving everything you are kind of forced to go, go behind and use the same intensity levels. I’m very happy for him.
We’ll need a lot more of this energy over the course of the season. Liverpool will travel to Bournemouth on Sunday in Premier League action.
