Ox offers another solution
If left-back was historically the problem position for Liverpool during the Premier League era, lately it’s a little further upfield that’s proving the issue for Jurgen Klopp.
With Luis Diaz now out for several months and Diogo Jota not expected back until February, finding the answer on the flank continues to be something of an ongoing puzzler.
After Darwin Nunez was tried there with some success before the World Cup break, here Fabio Carvalho – who scored at the Etihad for Fulham in the FA Cup back in January – was given an opportunity.
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It was a bit of a mixed bag, the 20-year-old too often knocked off the ball by physically stronger opponents, even if Rodri somehow escape censure when overstepping the mark with one meaty shove. The City man should pick on someone his own size.
But then there was the other side to Carvalho’s game, a brightness of thought when in the final third and, of course, the ability to execute a fine finish for Liverpool ’s first equaliser.
In the second half it was the turn of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who made an instant impact with an excellent ball to release Nunez down the flank to set up Mohamed Salah to draw Liverpool level for a second time.
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s lively showing could easily have merited a penalty after being upended by Ake later on. There will, though, be plenty more chances for both he and Carvalho to impress in the coming busy weeks.
Bajcetic given eye-opener
There is a world of difference in terms of experience between Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago Alcantara. But a quirk of injury and selection meant that while the latter was here making his debut in the competition, this was a second successive Carabao Cup start for his 18-year-old team-mate.
Bajectic has impressed since taking part in the summer tour to the Far East, breaking into the first team and also appearing in both the Premier League and Champions League.
Starting against Manchester City at the Etihad, though, was a real show of faith from Klopp, the litmus test for any player regardless of age. And this would have been an eye-opening evening for the Spaniard, who was in danger of being blown away during the whirlwind opening as Liverpool struggled to gain a foothold in the game.
Bajectic wasn’t alone in struggling. And, to his credit, he continued undeterred and picked up a booking for a foul on Cole Palmer before being replaced at the interval. The teenager will have learned more in these 45 minutes than the rest of his fledgling senior career put together.
Thiago, too, started slowly, but went on to post a decent 70-minute display in which his passing in the first half in particular brought Liverpool back into the game. Keeping him fit is likely to once again be key to the Reds enjoying a successful second part to the season.
Phillips thwarts Haaland
It probably won’t make the highlights reel come May. But there perhaps won't be a more strangely satisfying moment this season than Nat Phillips’ perfectly-executed slide tackle on Erling Haaland moments after his introduction from the bench.
Phillips, on for the stricken James Milner before half-time, continues to be the great survivor of this Liverpool squad, and rarely lets the Reds down on his increasingly rare outings.
He got to grips with Haaland in a manner Joe Gomez failed to do so during the worrying opening period of the game, the centre-back slow to react as the City striker pounced on Kevin De Bruyne’s cross for the opener.
Gomez had been outstanding in Liverpool’s Premier League victory over the champions in October, but his inconsistent campaign was encapsulated here, improving only when shifted to right-back once Phillips was brought on.
Alongside Gomez at centre-back, Joel Matip was more composed on his first competitive outing in more than two months, contributing in the build up to the first goal and offering a reminder why he has been the more regular partner for Virgil van Dijk over the past 18 months.
And with both the Dutchman and Ibrahima Konate poised to return after World Cup duty, it offers Liverpool the competition they need in the heart of the defence.
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