Harvey Elliott asks Dominik Szoboszlai question as defender sparks concern

An analysis of Liverpool in which Harvey Elliott poses a query to Dominik Szoboszlai, a defender, causes concernConcern for Konate as Quansah beams

Jarell Quansah was justifiably irritated during Liverpool’s previous elimination from the Europa League.

The 20-year-old believed he had scored his first senior goal, a dramatic late equalizer that earned the Reds a point at Toulouse. However, the goal was disallowed for a dubious handball against Alexis Mac Allister, which occurred that much earlier in the game that it appeared to have occurred the day before.Nevertheless, this has already been a remarkable breakthrough season for Quansah, as evidenced by their sixth start against LASK Linz – three of which have taken place in Europe.Quansah once more displayed resolute composure on the ball and solid defense, belying his youth and lack of experience at this level. This was exemplified in the second half, when he raced back to make a solid block to preserve Liverpool’s clean sheet following a rare LASK break. Those who mentored the central defender during his Academy career ought to feel a sense of pride.

However, center-back counterpart Ibrahima Konate was not quite as convincing. The Frenchman’s start indicated that he has fallen behind Joel Matip in the pecking order, and his consistent absences this season due to injury have resulted in a certain rustiness in his play, which the Reds continue to manage.

Irrespective of this, Konate will be cognizant of the substantial prospects for enhancement.

Elliott poses a query to Szoboszlai.The midfield is the one area of the’midweek’ team that is determined to capitalise on every opportunity.As Curtis Jones retains the advantage for the remaining slot and Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have largely secured two of the three positions, the cup games have provided an opportunity for players such as Harvey Elliott, Ryan Gravenberch, and Wataru Endo to establish themselves.

Gravenberch will always attract attention due to his all-action style and propensity to stretch his legs on forward runs; his performance at Manchester City over the weekend demonstrated that he is warming up to the role.

Elliott, however, was the more impressive of the two, as his busy performance once more demonstrated why he has consistently made an impact this season, whether starting or coming off the substitute, as has been the case in each Europa League match thus far.

On Sunday against Fulham, the 20-year-old could not have done more to bolster his case for a second Premier League start of the season, especially considering Szoboszlai’s decline in quality in recent appearances on the right side of the engine room.Having matured into the game at number six since joining Liverpool, Endo, meanwhile, will once more benefit from a mere 90 minutes of action. Mac Allister evidently required slumber, as he acknowledged falling asleep during a team meeting prior to the City game.

Anfield continues to be an inhospitable location.

As Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp’s pre-match exhortation for this to be a legendary European evening was inevitably one of his more audacious declarations.

However, although Anfield failed to completely galvanize itself on a frigid evening (the visiting contingent boasted the loudest supporters), it still proves to be an inhospitable environment for the away team.For the fourth time in all competitions, the Reds have completed a season in which they have won their first ten home matches. They last accomplished this feat in 1893/94, when they won the first sixteen, again in 1972/73, when they won the first eleven, and most recently in the Double-winning season of 1985/86, when they prevailed in the first thirteen.

With the December 17 matchup between Manchester United and Liverpool, the upper tier of the grand new Anfield Road stand will reopen, following Sunday’s Premier League encounter with Fulham.

And by March, when the last 16 of the Europa League is played, there will likely be over 60,000 spectators inside. Perhaps those renowned European evenings are approaching.