The starting eleven for this match was the same as I predicted, but the positions were different. Frimpong started as a right back instead of a right winger, Gomez played as a left center back, Endo as a right central midfielder, Nyoni as an attacking midfielder, and Chiesa as a right winger.
This substitute lineup aimed to continue the playing style of the main lineup, but it couldn't achieve that. Firstly, the three midfielders were all workhorse types, mainly making backward or lateral passes, lacking the ability to make forward passes or dribble through. Secondly, left winger Ngumoha could only find opportunities to break through after the opponent's stamina declined in the 80th minute; it was difficult for him to enter the opponent's penalty area when starting, and compared to Gakpo, he lacked the ability to cut inside and create shooting opportunities. Right winger Chiesa found it hard to get the ball on the right flank and was unable to break through or cross. With Liverpool dominating possession, when Frimpong pushed up to become a right winger, Chiesa would move to the center to assist the midfield. Isak often dropped back to the midfield when he couldn't get the ball in the front, helping transition the ball forward. At one point, he found himself in the left winger position, breaking into the penalty area and creating a threat. In the first half, Liverpool hardly organized any decent attacks and could only rely on pressing in the front to create opportunities, depending on Chiesa's interception in the penalty area to pass back to Isak for a goal.
In the second half, Ekitiké replaced Isak. In the 57th minute, after Bradley came on for Jones, the lineup adjusted to be closer to my prediction: Frimpong played as a right winger, Chiesa moved to attacking midfielder, and Nyoni shifted to left central midfielder. This lineup had slightly stronger attacking capabilities; Bradley could assist in the front, distributing the ball to Frimpong on the right. However, Frimpong was not in good form this match, failing to perform well in dribbling or crossing, frequently losing possession, and likely to lose his starting position in the next match. Chiesa posed a greater threat in the attacking midfielder position than as a right winger, able to assist Ngumoha on the left and gradually reach the penalty area. In the 74th minute, Danns replaced Ngumoha, Chiesa moved to left winger, and Danns played as attacking midfielder. Chiesa was more threatening as a left winger, able to break into the penalty area for a low cross or combine with teammates to shoot from the penalty area’s side, but unfortunately, a goal he scored was ruled out for offside. In the 81st minute, Leoni was injured and replaced by Kerkez, with Roberson moving to left center back. He found Chiesa in the penalty area with a long pass from the back; Chiesa made a beautiful stop and passed to the unmarked Ekitiké in the center, who easily scored. After Ekitiké received a second yellow card for celebrating by taking off his shirt, Liverpool switched to a 4-4-1 formation, with Danns pushed to the front, and Chiesa and Frimpong dropping back to left and right midfielders, respectively. The whole team did their best to defend and secure the victory, advancing to the next round.
Ekitiké's red card will have some impact on the next league match away against Crystal Palace. He was originally expected to start as the center forward, but now it will have to be Isak, who cannot play the full match, so Chiesa will likely come on as a substitute in the second half. Other positions will probably see changes from the last league match, mainly with Wirtz starting as attacking midfielder, and Szoboszlai possibly replacing Mac Allister as left central midfielder.
Leoni's serious injury may end his season, and Liverpool's center back position lacks depth. Gomez has not regained form after a long absence from matches, Roberson lacks height as a left center back and can only fill in occasionally, while Endo is decent defensively as a central midfielder but struggles as a center back. A mistake in defending a corner led to a conceded goal, and Gravenberch dropping back to play center back weakened the midfield strength; his role in midfield is currently irreplaceable. If more injuries occur in the center back position, it will affect the entire season's prospects. The best solution remains to spend money in the winter transfer window to complete the transfer of Guéhi.