Grujic poses transfer question
As Jurgen Klopp’s first signing, Marko Grujic will forever have a particular place in the Liverpool history books.
That, though, has seemed the most the Serbian would achieve at Anfield having spent the last two years on loan at Hertha Berlin and, going into this season, not featured for the Reds since December 2017.
But this term’s unusually-early Carabao Cup calendar has given the midfielder an unexpected stage on which to shine.
Grujic was tidy enough last week at Lincoln City, easing himself up to speed against League One opposition and notching his first Reds goal in the second half.
Arsenal offered a much more stern challenge. And he more than met it, helping Liverpool dominate the engine room battle while also proving a threat in the Gunners area at set-pieces with his height.
The Reds remain open to offers for Grujic with Borussia Moenchengladbach in the box seat to strike a deal before Monday night’s transfer deadline.
This performance will have at least strengthened Liverpool’s hand at the negotiating table.
And, if the asking price isn’t met, Klopp will know he has another defensive midfield option he can trust.
Jota sends a message
Diogo Jota demonstrated enough during his brief cameo on Monday that he isn’t one to stand on ceremony.
And Liverpool’s new £41million signing gave further proof against Arsenal that, when it comes to commanding the attention, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah can expect a bit more competition.
In the first half alone, Jota became embroiled in a running spat with Arsenal midfielder Dani Ceballos – an Iberian rivalry, for sure – and could have coaxed a penalty from the same player.
He also struck a header that was brilliantly saved by Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno, the ball falling for Takumi Minamino to strike the underside of the bar from a matter of yards shortly before the break. A costly miss in the final analysis.
Early in the second half, Jota was clobbered from behind by a typically faux contrite Grant Xhaka. The Portuguese dusted himself down and got on with it.
And, while Jurgen Klopp has stated he will primarily be used on the left, Jota’s ability to run from a central position saw him race on to a fine Curtis Jones pass before drawing another excellent stop from Leno.
The night was less encouraging, though, for Divock Origi, who appears to have slipped further down the pecking order in the forward line. Certainly, his missed penalty in the shoot-out was not the best timing.
Williams at the double
Social media is rarely representative of general consensus, not least where football is concerned.
The vocal minority will always make the loudest noise and, in the wake of last week’s Carabao Cup win at Lincoln City, Neco Williams found himself in the firing line.
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Sure, it wasn’t his best performance. But it was still a strange reaction from some fans after a 7-2 victory.
Indeed, Reds assistant manager Pep Lijnders was compelled to comment that supporters should, well, support.
Williams, for his part, didn’t seem hugely perturbed on the strength of this performance which highlighted the qualities that caught the eye of Jurgen Klopp in this tie last season, when the Welshman was handed a senior debut.
The 19-year-old more than held his own against Arsenal’s £72million man Pepe with a determined, resilient defensive display and, crucially, was more composed when in possession.
Alongside him, namesake Rhys Williams was similarly impressive on his first Anfield start, less reliant on Virgil van Dijk compared to last week and growing in confidence during the second half when alongside Joe Gomez.
Liverpool’s Carabao Cup exit may make another loan deal more likely for the centre-back. On this evidence, a league club – after spending last year at Kidderminster Harriers – would be a merited step up.
