Big talking points from Ian Doyle’s Liverpool during the 2-2 Premier League draw against Manchester United
Approximately this time last year, Harvey Elliott was relieved of his duties by Liverpool after a difficult campaign as a regular. Some suggested that the young player was no longer needed in a new-look squad after Jurgen Klopp’s team finished strongly without him.
However, this season has demonstrated that nothing could be further from the reality. Elliott also keeps making a big, positive influence as Liverpool starts their race for the finish line.
Even though the now 21-year-old has only made six Premier League starts in his 27 top-flight appearances, his effect has been steady. After giving the Reds a boost against Sheffield United on Thursday, Elliott was given the responsibility of forcing Liverpool to play a game that was sliding away from them.
He went up to the plate once more. The Manchester United defence was often troubled by his carelessness in possession and his clipped cross deliveries. Additionally, his established rapport with Mohamed Salah enabled him to manoeuvre into the box and manipulate Aaron Wan-Bissaka into giving him a late penalty, which the Egyptian eventually converted.
Elliott is now hammering home the desire for more consistent Premier League playing time after Dominik Szoboszlai underperformed in his quest for full match sharpness. His input is starting to become essential.
The learning curve of Quansah
In this crucial match, Jarell Quansah, whose career at Liverpool has been marked by calm, remarkable advancement, may have earned a sixth start in seven games by defying Ibrahima Konate in the starting lineup on merit.
And Old Trafford was seeing more of the same after having contributed to keeping United to exactly zero shots in the first half, notably dropping Bruno Fernandes on his rear once.
Similar to how the first half started, Quansah raced back to take the ball from Marcus Rashford’s toes to end a rare United danger. But then, just a few moments later, it happened: a careless pass inside to Fernandes, who was able to beat Caoimhin Kelleher from range and give United an entirely unjustified opportunity to get back into the game.
Quansah’s first significant error during his senior Liverpool career—possibly on the largest stage as well—provided a fitting test of the center-back’s character. He could have collapsed with ease.
Rather, the 21-year-old displayed the poise and mental toughness necessary to brush off the mistake and resume his prior calibre of play, proving why Klopp has such faith in his developing skills.
If Quansah has taken any lessons from the event, Liverpool has as well. This player has the best chance of succeeding at Anfield in the future.
Concern for the top six persists
Once again, the one flaw that has been bothering a lot of Liverpool fans this season was clearly visible.
The Reds have had difficulty gaining the points that their performances, which frequently deserve, have not always warranted while playing the other top Premier League challengers.
There have been a few causes for that—a few dubious penalty calls and one glaring VAR error come to mind—but the general trend suggests a more serious problem.
Yes, there have only been the two losses at Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur this season. However, in eight games against teams in the top six, Klopp’s team has only managed to win once, at home against Aston Villa back in September, and earn just eight points.
There is still time to raise that number, with home games against Tottenham and the return match against Villa scheduled for May.
And Liverpool now has no choice but to finish ahead of both fierce title favourites Arsenal and champions City.
