Vitezslav Jaros continues Liverpool tradition by earning plaudits in Carabao Cup win
By Andy Jones
At times at the Amex Stadium during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie between Brighton and Liverpool, it felt like we were watching another Caoimhin Kellehermasterclass.
In recent years, Liverpool’s second-choice goalkeeper has made English football’s No 2 cup competition his own, including outstanding performances in two finals against Chelsea, but it was their third-choice in the position, Vitezslav Jaros, who earned the plaudits on this occasion, helping secure the cup holders a 3-2 win that sets up a December quarter-final away to Premier Leaguestrugglers Southampton.
Alisson’s ongoing absence with a hamstring injury has turned the spotlight onto Liverpool’s goalkeeping department. Kelleher is once again doing his best impression of the Brazilian in the Premier League and Champions League, so he was given the night off as Arne Slot shuffled his pack for this midweek cup game. As he did with Brighton’s crosses all evening, Jaros seized his opportunity.
Slot has frequently brought the 23-year-old Czech Republicinternational up when talking about the depth he has in the goalkeeping position. In his first senior appearance for Liverpool, Jaros justified that praise.
He looked more settled than during his surprise cameo against Crystal Palaceat the beginning of this month, when he was thrust into the action after Alisson’s second-half injury as Kelleher was missing that day through illness. He made a crucial save from Eberechi Ezein his short time on the pitch, but his team-mates tried to eliminate risk and nerves were evident.
This was different.
Having been informed by Slot the day before that he would be starting this tie, Jaros was able to properly prepare. When he casually performed a drag-back in his own box while being pressed in the opening minutes, it was a sign of a player more than comfortable in his surroundings.
Jaros is no rookie, having had loan spells with St Patrick’s Athletic (where he was voted the best goalkeeper in the League of Ireland), Notts County, Stockport County and last season at Austrian side Sturm Graz, helping them complete a league and cup double.
The opposition during those loans may not have quite been Premier League standard, but Jaros showed against Brighton that he can cut it at that level, producing key saves at vital moments.
He made himself big to deny Tariq Lampteywhen one-on-one in the game’s first big chance but saved his best for the second half, changing direction and diving to his left to palm Simon Adingra’s header onto the post. The performance further justified the club’s decision to hold onto Jaros after he had asked to leave in the summer.
He was unfortunate to concede twice late on. He may feel he should have done better for Brighton’s opener, parrying a shot straight to Adingra, but there was nothing he could do for Lamptey’s second due to a deflection. His calmness and confidence in possession were equally impressive. Brighton’s press was high and fast, Jaros’ distribution was cool and composed. He wasn’t fazed.
“Everybody could see how important his saves were,” Slot said in his post-match press conference. “The first big chance of the game was for them, when he saved a one v one. We all remember his saves in the second half.
“But he also added to that with how comfortable he was with the ball at his feet — making the right choices of when to go long and when to go short. It also helped him the quality that (centre-backs) Joe Gomezand Jarell Quansahbrought in the build-up. I like that triangle a lot.”
His contribution made sure a theme has continued, passed on from Jurgen Klopp to successor Slot: when needed, Liverpool’s young players stand up in this competition and provide the perfect supporting act. Last season, Conor Bradley, Quansah, Bobby Clark, James McConnell, Jayden Danns, Lewis Koumasand Trey Nyoni were all part of the Carabao Cup final matchday squad.
Tyler Mortonwas one of Liverpool’s young players out on loan, at Hull Cityof the second-tier Championship, so missed out.
Liverpool’s summer stance was they were not willing to allow Morton to leave on loan again, but were willing to listen to permanent offers, valuing the midfielder at around £20million ($26m at the current exchange rate).
RB Leipzigof Germany and Italy’s Atalantaexpressed interest. Xabi Alonso’s Bundesligachampions Bayer Leverkusendid too, with the former Liverpool midfielder rating Morton highly. Nothing materialised and it has not been an easy few months for the 22-year-old. Having been used to playing regularly over the past two seasons he hasn’t had the opportunity to build on those appearances. His attitude has been excellent and he has worked hard in training, waiting for his chance.
It came last night and he produced a tidy performance, one full of energy, aggression and the knack for keeping his team ticking from the engine room. The standout contribution was his clever pass to Cody Gakpothat set up Liverpool’s opening goal early in the second half.
Jaros and Morton are not “kids” but are inexperienced at the top level. There are few like that remaining at Liverpool. Clark was sold to Red Bull Salzburg in August, Stefan Bajcetic followed him to that Austrian side on a season-long loan, while there have been Championship loans for Ben Doak(Middlesbrough) and Koumas (Stoke City). Danns and McConnell would have followed but potential moves were scuppered by injuries. Instead, under-21s forward Ranel Youngwas named on last night’s bench.
Slot joked in his pre-match press conference about recalling Doak due to injuries to Diogo Jotaand Federico Chiesaleaving him with only four senior attackers. It means more minutes in the legs for senior players than Slot may have liked but that is the difficulty of balancing a young player’s development in relation to the first team.
Nyoni, 17, offered further glimpses of his talent in the second half – and was available to face Brighton as his best pathway is viewed by the club as training regularly with the senior set-up rather than on loan.
It is a testament to their progression that Bradley and Quansah are no longer viewed as youngsters.
Bradley fared better of the two last night after returning from injury. Quansah slumping into his seat after being substituted late on summed up his mood. The centre-back is having a tricky time. His poor pass led to Brighton’s first goal, and their second deflected in off of him. It followed his own goal in the last round, and being substituted at half-time on the opening weekend of the league season in August. Yet, Slot was keen to praise both him and partner Gomez.
The latest young players to graduate from Liverpool’s academy provided the platform for the club’s stars to secure the victory. Back in March, it was Virgil van Dijk’s header against Chelsea at Wembley to win the Carabao Cup, here on the south coast it was his Dutch compatriot Gakpo’s power as he scored twice before Luis Diazgot the eventual winner with five minutes of the 90 to go.
Vitezslav Jaros continues Liverpool tradition by earning plaudits in Carabao Cup win
By Andy Jones
At times at the Amex Stadium during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie between Brighton and Liverpool, it felt like we were watching another Caoimhin Kellehermasterclass.
In recent years, Liverpool’s second-choice goalkeeper has made English football’s No 2 cup competition his own, including outstanding performances in two finals against Chelsea, but it was their third-choice in the position, Vitezslav Jaros, who earned the plaudits on this occasion, helping secure the cup holders a 3-2 win that sets up a December quarter-final away to Premier Leaguestrugglers Southampton.
Alisson’s ongoing absence with a hamstring injury has turned the spotlight onto Liverpool’s goalkeeping department. Kelleher is once again doing his best impression of the Brazilian in the Premier League and Champions League, so he was given the night off as Arne Slot shuffled his pack for this midweek cup game. As he did with Brighton’s crosses all evening, Jaros seized his opportunity.
Slot has frequently brought the 23-year-old Czech Republicinternational up when talking about the depth he has in the goalkeeping position. In his first senior appearance for Liverpool, Jaros justified that praise.
He looked more settled than during his surprise cameo against Crystal Palaceat the beginning of this month, when he was thrust into the action after Alisson’s second-half injury as Kelleher was missing that day through illness. He made a crucial save from Eberechi Ezein his short time on the pitch, but his team-mates tried to eliminate risk and nerves were evident.
This was different.
Having been informed by Slot the day before that he would be starting this tie, Jaros was able to properly prepare. When he casually performed a drag-back in his own box while being pressed in the opening minutes, it was a sign of a player more than comfortable in his surroundings.
Jaros is no rookie, having had loan spells with St Patrick’s Athletic (where he was voted the best goalkeeper in the League of Ireland), Notts County, Stockport County and last season at Austrian side Sturm Graz, helping them complete a league and cup double.
The opposition during those loans may not have quite been Premier League standard, but Jaros showed against Brighton that he can cut it at that level, producing key saves at vital moments.
He made himself big to deny Tariq Lampteywhen one-on-one in the game’s first big chance but saved his best for the second half, changing direction and diving to his left to palm Simon Adingra’s header onto the post. The performance further justified the club’s decision to hold onto Jaros after he had asked to leave in the summer.
He was unfortunate to concede twice late on. He may feel he should have done better for Brighton’s opener, parrying a shot straight to Adingra, but there was nothing he could do for Lamptey’s second due to a deflection. His calmness and confidence in possession were equally impressive. Brighton’s press was high and fast, Jaros’ distribution was cool and composed. He wasn’t fazed.
“Everybody could see how important his saves were,” Slot said in his post-match press conference. “The first big chance of the game was for them, when he saved a one v one. We all remember his saves in the second half.
“But he also added to that with how comfortable he was with the ball at his feet — making the right choices of when to go long and when to go short. It also helped him the quality that (centre-backs) Joe Gomezand Jarell Quansahbrought in the build-up. I like that triangle a lot.”
His contribution made sure a theme has continued, passed on from Jurgen Klopp to successor Slot: when needed, Liverpool’s young players stand up in this competition and provide the perfect supporting act. Last season, Conor Bradley, Quansah, Bobby Clark, James McConnell, Jayden Danns, Lewis Koumasand Trey Nyoni were all part of the Carabao Cup final matchday squad.
Tyler Mortonwas one of Liverpool’s young players out on loan, at Hull Cityof the second-tier Championship, so missed out.
Liverpool’s summer stance was they were not willing to allow Morton to leave on loan again, but were willing to listen to permanent offers, valuing the midfielder at around £20million ($26m at the current exchange rate).
RB Leipzigof Germany and Italy’s Atalantaexpressed interest. Xabi Alonso’s Bundesligachampions Bayer Leverkusendid too, with the former Liverpool midfielder rating Morton highly. Nothing materialised and it has not been an easy few months for the 22-year-old. Having been used to playing regularly over the past two seasons he hasn’t had the opportunity to build on those appearances. His attitude has been excellent and he has worked hard in training, waiting for his chance.
It came last night and he produced a tidy performance, one full of energy, aggression and the knack for keeping his team ticking from the engine room. The standout contribution was his clever pass to Cody Gakpothat set up Liverpool’s opening goal early in the second half.
Jaros and Morton are not “kids” but are inexperienced at the top level. There are few like that remaining at Liverpool. Clark was sold to Red Bull Salzburg in August, Stefan Bajcetic followed him to that Austrian side on a season-long loan, while there have been Championship loans for Ben Doak(Middlesbrough) and Koumas (Stoke City). Danns and McConnell would have followed but potential moves were scuppered by injuries. Instead, under-21s forward Ranel Youngwas named on last night’s bench.
Slot joked in his pre-match press conference about recalling Doak due to injuries to Diogo Jotaand Federico Chiesaleaving him with only four senior attackers. It means more minutes in the legs for senior players than Slot may have liked but that is the difficulty of balancing a young player’s development in relation to the first team.
Nyoni, 17, offered further glimpses of his talent in the second half – and was available to face Brighton as his best pathway is viewed by the club as training regularly with the senior set-up rather than on loan.
It is a testament to their progression that Bradley and Quansah are no longer viewed as youngsters.
Bradley fared better of the two last night after returning from injury. Quansah slumping into his seat after being substituted late on summed up his mood. The centre-back is having a tricky time. His poor pass led to Brighton’s first goal, and their second deflected in off of him. It followed his own goal in the last round, and being substituted at half-time on the opening weekend of the league season in August. Yet, Slot was keen to praise both him and partner Gomez.
The latest young players to graduate from Liverpool’s academy provided the platform for the club’s stars to secure the victory. Back in March, it was Virgil van Dijk’s header against Chelsea at Wembley to win the Carabao Cup, here on the south coast it was his Dutch compatriot Gakpo’s power as he scored twice before Luis Diazgot the eventual winner with five minutes of the 90 to go.
