Liverpool's 'Kindergarten Kop' is praised by Arne Slot as Reds boss leaves star players at home and fields youngsters in Southampton victory
Arne Slot hailed Liverpool’s ‘Kindergarten Kop’ after he left the likes of Mohamed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk at home but his youthful side were still too strong for Southampton and qualified for the Carabao Cup semi-finals. ‘This club is known for this,’ said Slot, who made eight changes including a first start for 17-year-old […]
Arne Slot hailed Liverpool’s ‘Kindergarten Kop’ after he left the likes of Mohamed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk at home but his youthful side were still too strong for Southampton and qualified for the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
‘This club is known for this,’ said Slot, who made eight changes including a first start for 17-year-old Trey Nyoni, with three more teenagers on the bench. ‘These players train with us on a daily basis. We know their quality and it’s nice to see they showed they can play at this level. Now the next step is to be good enough to play for Liverpool.’
Asked if it was a risk, Slot added: ‘We trust these players because we know how much quality they have. It’s not about the result on Sunday. It’s more about the long term fitness for the ones who have played a lot so that’s why we did what we did and good for us, it was enough to win.’
The Dutchman, who was serving a one-game touchline ban, watched on from the press box at St Mary’s as his side made it 20 wins from 24 games in all competitions this season with first-half goals from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott enough to secure their passage to the final four.
‘It was good – much warmer than down on the touchline but hopefully it’s the only time,’ said Slot, when asked about the experience.
Meanwhile, Southampton’s interim manager Simon Rusk praised his side after a much-improved second-half display, where they pulled a goal back through Cameron Archer but failed to get an equalier despite creating several decent opportunities.
Arne Slot (centre) hailed Liverpool’s ‘Kindergarten Kop’ after their 2-1 win over Southampton
17-year-old Trey Nyoni was handed a first start with three more teenagers on the bench
Star players Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk were left out of the squad for the game
‘I’m really encouraged by the second half. We showed belief and character. Hopefully that second half is a catalyst,’ said Rusk, who insisted that he had no idea whether he would still be in charge for Sunday’s trip to Fulham following the sacking of Russell Martin.
‘I’m not sure yet (on Sunday). It’s all about what the players need and what club needs,’ he added.
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