The League Cup has long represented an opportunity for Liverpool’s fledgling goalkeepers. And here it was the turn of Vitezslav Jaros.
Having made a surprise Reds debut from the bench at Crystal Palace earlier this month, Jaros was a beneficiary of the policy to start deputy goalkeepers in the competition.
And it took less than 10 minutes for the 23-year-old to justify his selection, standing strong to deny Tariq Lamptey after the Brighton right-back was sent scurrying clear.
The regularity with which Liverpool’s defenders were content to involve Jaros in the build-up underlined confidence in his ability with the ball at his feet, a key component for any modern goalkeeper.
Making saves, though, is where they earn their corn, and the remarkable manner in which Jaros leapt to his left to paw a close-range Simon Adingra header on to the post rightly drew gasps of admiration when replayed on the screen inside the Amex Stadium.
Jaros is very much third choice behind Caoimhin Kelleher and the injured Alisson Becker. But with a successful loan spell at Sturm Graz under his belt and a place in Czechia’s Euro 2024 squad during the summer, he isn’t wet behind the ears.
With Giorgi Mamardashvili arriving next summer, Liverpool will soon have four international keepers on their books. They can’t all stay – and who remains will be of significant intrigue.
Amid the encouragement of a strong start to the Arne Slot era, there’s one Liverpool player who has every right to feel a little peeved.
This season has largely been one of limbo for Tyler Morton having long outgrown the Academy – the midfielder spent the last two seasons in the Championship with Blackburn Rovers and then Hull City – but unable to dislodge the strong first-team midfield options ahead of him.
Other than a handful of under-21 outings, his only action had been a brief run-out in the win over West Ham United in the last League Cup round. So Morton’s start here – his first for Liverpool since January 2022 – was reward for his patience.
He was tidy enough during a 64-minute outing with his attributes suiting the possession-based approach of Slot. Nor was Morton averse to putting the boot in when required, and could claim an assist with his clipped ball over the top inviting Cody Gakpo to charge through for the opener.
Alongside him, Wataru Endo appeared in the opening moments very much a player with few minutes under his belt this season but gradually settled.
And the progress in the competition they helped ensure has given both possible first-team minutes in the coming weeks.
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Robertson show of faith
With his hoodie wrapped up around his head and hands firmly in pockets, Andy Robertson was doing everything to anonymously slip away from the Emirates on Sunday.
It had been a difficult afternoon for the left-back, chiefly responsible for Arsenal’s first goal and suffering a difficult time up against goalscorer Bukayo Saka.
But any doubts over his standing within the squad were firmly banished with a strong show of faith from Slot by naming Robertson captain here.
Fair to say, though, the first half was something of a mixed bag for the Scotland international, playing Brighton onside for the early Lamptey chance but later drawing a save at the near post from home goalkeeper Jason Steele’s outstretched leg.
There were tough moments second half dealing with Lamptey but Robertson defended one dangerous situation at the far post while his aggressive header was the spark for the opener.
Elsewhere, Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah were quietly efficient before the latter had a miserable final few minutes, giving away the ball for Brighton’s first and then unlucky to deflect home the second. Both, though, will benefit from their minutes.
