'Disappointing': Fowler names the only Liverpool player who can 'hold their head up' after Carabao Cup final
Yesterday at 05:00 PM
Liverpool fell to defeat in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday in a game which they won’t want to watch back.
The Reds were aiming to put things right after being knocked out of the Champions League by PSG in midweek, but put in a lifeless and uninspiring display at Wembley.
Newcastle were deserving winners on an afternoon where Liverpool never once looked like winning.
The Magpies have some top players and can beat any team on their day. However, to be bettered in desire and workrate on the occasion of a cup final simply isn’t good enough from any Liverpool team.
There were poor performances across the pitch, with so many of the Liverpool squad looking absolutely spent even during the game’s opening stages.
But according to Reds legend Robbie Fowler, there was at least one player who put in a good shift at Wembley.
Virgil van Dijk Liverpool’s sole good performer
Wherever you looked at Wembley, there was a Liverpool player not doing his job properly.
Man for man, they were bettered all over the pitch by their Newcastle counterparts. When that happens, you’re never going to win.
According to Fowler, though, the one player who did stand up to be counted was captain Virgil van Dijk.
“The result is disappointing but I think it’s the performance which has probably ruined this a little bit,” the former striker told LFCTV after the game.
“I’m not sure any player other than probably Virgil van Dijk can hold their head up.
“It was a performance lacking in a little bit of everything, a little bit of grit, desire, that control of football in certain areas of the pitch.”
Federico Chiesa overlooked by Fowler
In terms of players who started the game for Liverpool, it’s probably true that Van Dijk was the only one who could come away with any credit in the bank.
But even then, it was still not the captain at his very best. Although he managed Alexander Isak very well on the whole, he still wasn’t quite alert enough to stop the Swedish striker sweeping home the winning goal.
So, based on the standards he holds himself to, we’re not sure Fowler’s words will be of any consolation to Virgil.
One player who does deserve praise is Federico Chiesa. The Italian came off the bench to fire in a well-taken goal for Liverpool and looked more of a threat than any other player.
After barely being used this season, Chiesa deserves an apology from Arne Slot after his determined showing at Wembley. These two – and perhaps Harvey Elliott – aside, it should be a dark night of the soul for every other Liverpool player.
