Arne Slot admitted he was “far from happy with a few individual performances” as Liverpool narrowly overcame Southampton 2-1 in the Carabao Cup at Anfield on Tuesday.
After the Merseyside derby win over Everton, Slot made wholesale changes, naming a completely new starting XI and including five academy players on the bench. The strategy was bold, but the cost was apparent: Liverpool struggled for cohesion, particularly in the first half, with disjointed passing and a lack of tempo blunting their usual attacking threat.
Alexander Isak broke the deadlock late in the first half, registering his first goal for the club, only for Shea Charles to equalise in the 76th minute. Hugo Ekitike then scored a dramatic winner, continuing Liverpool’s record of late deciders but moments later, he was sent off for celebrating by removing his shirt, earning a suspension for the Premier League trip to Crystal Palace.
Despite the uneven display, Slot was quick to highlight the positives, singling out Federico Chiesa, Andy Robertson and the two debutants: goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and defender Giovanni Leoni.
Chiesa, in particular, made an immediate impact, creating four chances, taking four shots, and registering 13 touches in the opposition box the most of any Liverpool player.
“I can accept completely that a team that plays for the first time together, players that haven’t played for a long time, that they don’t play as a team perfectly. But what I always want to see is players that try and work hard. So I said at half-time, for me it is completely not a coincidence that Federico picked the ball and assisted on the first [goal] because he was the one, in my opinion, that was most involved in the game, tried the most, worked the hardest,” Slot said.
The Dutchman also highlighted the role of Andy Robertson who was captain on the night as a model of professionalism and intelligence on the pitch:
“And then it wasn’t a coincidence again that he was the man that made a deep run, great ball by Robbo [Andy Robertson], by the way – who also has won so much at this club and also understands how to play this game: not underestimate it, just always be ready to play. That’s also the way to get yourself either back in the team or get as much playing minutes as you want.”
Slot’s praise of Chiesa and Robertson was a clear signal to the squad: hard work and involvement will earn you opportunities, even in an inexperienced side.
The performance of Liverpool’s debutants also caught the coach’s eye. Mamardashvili and Leoni both impressed, though Leoni’s evening ended prematurely after he was stretchered off in the second half following a worrying injury.
Not every player met Slot’s standards, however. When asked about those who underperformed, he remained deliberately vague:
“No. But I think these players who I mean, I think they know already.”
Ekitike was a clear offender. Despite scoring the winner, he was shown a second yellow card for celebrating by removing his shirt, following an earlier booking for kicking the ball away in frustration. Slot was blunt:
“It was needless, yes, and it was stupid, yep.”
Jeremie Frimpong also struggled, failing to make the impact expected after promising performances since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen.
Slot acknowledged the difficulty of managing a largely new team in a competitive cup fixture:
“I can accept completely that a team that plays for the first time together, players that haven’t played for a long time, that they don’t play as a team perfectly. But what I always want to see is players that try and work hard.”
Looking ahead to Crystal Palace, Slot suggested changes are likely. Conor Bradley is expected to return to the starting XI, while Alexander Isak could replace Ekitike if fit. Should Isak not start, Chiesa may be deployed through the middle again after his impressive midweek showing.
Last season finalists managed a 2-1 victory which guarantees passage to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, but Slot’s focus is clear: performance, effort, and consistency matter as much as results.
“That’s why I was happy with a few individual performances but far from happy with a few other individual performances,” Slot said.
Even in victory, the message is unmistakable: players must back words with work, and those who do, like Chiesa and Robertson, set the standard for the rest of the squad.
