Ian Doyle with his big Liverpool talking points from the 2-2 Premier League draw at Manchester United.
Elliott change nears:
It was around this time last year that, having been a regular throughout a tortuous campaign, Harvey Elliott was taken out of the firing line by Liverpool. That Jurgen Klopp’s side finished strongly largely without the youngster prompted suggestions from some he was no longer required in a new-look squad.
This season, though, has underlined nothing could be further from the truth. And as Liverpool begin their sprint for the finish line, so Elliott continues to make a significant, positive difference.
While his Premier League starts have been rare – just six in 27 top-flight outings – the impact of the now 21-year-old has been consistent. Having helped inject new life into the Reds against Sheffield United on Thursday, here Elliott was tasked with dragging Liverpool back into a game that was somehow slipping away from them.
Once again, he stepped up to the task. His care in possession and clipped cross deliveries caused the Manchester United defence constant headaches, and his long-established understanding with Mohamed Salah allowed him to wriggle his way into the box and coax the late penalty from Aaron Wan-Bissaka that the Egyptian converted.
With Dominik Szoboszlai having underwhelmed as he continues to seek full match sharpness, Elliott is now knocking hard on the door for more regular Premier League minutes. His contributions are becoming pivotal.
Quansah’s learning curve:
Jarell Quansah’s Liverpool career had been one of serene, impressive progress to arguably edge Ibrahima Konate out of the starting line-up on merit for this titanic clash and earn a sixth start in seven games.
And having helped restrict United to precisely zero shots during the first half – memorably dumping Bruno Fernandes on his backside on one occasion in the process – Old Trafford was witnessing more of the same.
The second half began in a similar manner, Quansah racing back to nick the ball off the toes of Marcus Rashford to quell a rare United threat. But then, moments later, it happened – a slack pass inside straight to Fernandes that allowed the United skipper to beat Caoimhin Kelleher from range and gift United a wholly undeserved route back into the game.
A first major mistake of Quansah’s senior Liverpool career – and on arguably the biggest stage, too – provided a proper examination of the centre-back’s character. He could easily have crumbled.
Instead, the 21-year-old showed just why Klopp has placed such faith in his burgeoning talents by demonstrating the composure and strength of mind to shrug off the error and return to his previous level of performance.
If Quansah will have learned from the experience, to too have Liverpool. This is a player with the brightest of futures at Anfield.
Top-six concern continues:
The one shortcoming that has been nagging away at the minds of many Liverpool supporters this season was evident once more.
When it comes to matches against the other leading Premier League contenders, the Reds have struggled to gain the points the performances have often merited.
There have been some reasons for that – a couple of iffy penalty decisions and one very obvious VAR blunder spring to mind – but the overall pattern points to a bigger issue.
Sure, there have just been the two defeats this season at Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal. But in eight games against top-six sides, Klopp’s side have taken only eight points and won just once, at home to Aston Villa way back in September.
With a home game against Tottenham and the return against Villa to come in May, there remains an opportunity to improve on that statistic.
And if Liverpool are to finish above champions City and strong title favourites Arsenal, they now simply have no other option.
