Liverpool's lack of depth exposed by FA Cup Shock
Only a few days ago it was discussed whether Liverpool could do it four times. Now the question is: do they have the power that is in -depth to win on several fronts this season?
Arne Slot made 10 changes for the trip to Plymouth, confident enough to leave people like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
He would like to wish that he could have called his Egyptian king in the second half in Home Park, while the Fringe players of Liverpool worked to break down the lower club of the championship.
This season Salah scored 60 percent of Liverpool's Premier League objectives – is this where they would be without him?
Slot was after his selection and emphasized both the need for his first team to get a breath break during a ruthless schedule and for their backups to get a much needed playing time.
But he also pointed out that many of these spare players also had a chance in the last Champions League match match of Liverpool, when the progress to the last 16 was insured – and that they had also lost it.
Many of the young players who are finished do not earn individual criticism, so is their inexperience. But there were also senior players on the field who looked good behind the required level.
Federico Chiesa was one of them. A player who had to wait in his turn but did nothing to show that he was ready for big minutes. Darwin Nunez did not succeed in firing in the couch, while Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz had little impact during the 90 minutes.
Expect the big names to return for Wednesday's Merseyside Derby, when Liverpool can extend their Premier League to nine points. But if those star players are forced during the run-in, how many of these players who can be seen on Sunday, can confidence in the sloping fire income and deliver? Peter Smith
Chelsea's nightmare after Christmas continues
When Chelsea last met at the end of September, they scored four goals. Cole Palmer has them all. It was crucial that they were fleeing to be the great entertainers of the Premier League.
Now the output of the blues seems to be frozen. This was the fifth time since Christmas, where Chelsea took a lead and did not see the victory. Leads have been thrown away for fallen points against Fulham, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Manchester City and now Brighton.
After their last defeat against City, Gary Neville Chelsea accused an opportunity at Etihad and their FA Cup exit followed the same story.
They faced a Brighton side that shipped seven last weekend, after five minutes on Saturday to Saturday, Chuck One saw in his net and even Captain Lewis Dunk came off during the break to destabilize the backline of the Seagulls. But Chelsea could only collect one shot on goal – which only came in for four minutes.
After scoring four in the last meeting between the two, Palmer was canceled out. The rustiness of Christopher Nunku was clearly visible – his 33 touches were the second lowest count from the starters of Chelsea. He also failed to shoot all the game.
Nicolas Jackson was able to come back on Valentine's Day for the next trip to Brighton, but even he went eight games without a goal. How Chelsea comes out of this routine to not score enough and throw away leads is currently unclear. Sam Blitz
Man City Versches Bang – but at a cost
Manchester City survived Leyton Orient's fear of the first half to continue in the fifth round – but it came at a cost.
Their deadline day of £ 50 million that Nico Gonzalez signed – which was dubbed as the replacement of Rodri while he continued his comeback from the injury – lasted 22 minutes before he took the field during his debut.
Before he left the field with what looked like a hip or lower back injury, Nico was caught on the ball before Jamie Donley launched his shot from just within half the line to give his side a shock.
A whirlwind debut for the 23-year-old, who quickly learned what English football could have for him.
“I think Nico immediately understood what the Premier League is and referees,” said Pep Guardiola after the game. “I don't know how difficult the shot was, but he couldn't continue.” Patrick Rowe
Dorgu is the radiant light of Man Utd
Patrick Dorgu was the radiant light in the terrible first half of Manchester United against Leicester.
The signing of £ 30 million from Lecce made his debut at Old Trafford, although he was unexpectedly deployed on the right wing while Diogo Dalot played on the left.
“He played a lot of time at Lecce on the right and left,” Amorim explains. “Sometimes you need a left foot on the right to come in and connect in a different way, and sometimes you need a right -wing driver to connect and cross more balls.”
Dorgu connected nicely with Amad Diallo on the right and fell forward, although he could not find a meaningful pass on an occasion when he entered the box.
“He was a bit anxious in the first touch with the ball,” added Amorim, who replaced Dorgu during the break. “It's a different competition for him, different speed of the game, but he did well.” David Richardson
Newcastle Boost The chances of long -awaited cup Success
It is 70 years ago that Newcastle last lifted a large domestic trophy – they are on the right track to win two in one season.
The side of Eddie Howe Back -Up made the Carabao Cup final on Wednesday evening and came through a heavy test in League One -Leiders Birmingham City in the FA Cup fourth round.
Newcastle made nine changes, but their second string side showed character after running back in the opening 40 seconds and Mettle to match the heavy tackling of the hosts in the second half.
The only scourge on their evening was an injury than Burn. “In recent weeks we seem to have picked up a few. It would be the latter [we need] To derail us, “said Howe.
For a club that has waited for 70 years for silverware, nothing less than historical can be historical in the coming months. David Richardson
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