Leicester 2 Liverpool 0: Jurgen Klopp 'really sick' with defence after Shinji Okazaki punishes wasteful visitors

Jürgen Klopp - Leicester City 2 Liverpool 0: Jurgen Klopp 'really sick' with defence after Shinji Okazaki punishes wasteful visitors
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp said conceding the first goal to Leicester made him feel 'really sick' Credit: GETTY IMAGES

Jürgen Klopp picked another kind of team in another competition but was forced to confront a familiar outcome, that being a side that can dominate long periods of games and yet seems strangely incapable of winning them. 

This was Klopp’s team’s fourth successive game without a victory, and while defeat in the Carabao Cup third round is not the season’s worst outcome for Liverpool it does pose uncomfortable questions about the recruitment and gameplan so early in the season. Leicester struggled to live with their visitors all first half and yet when finally Craig Shakespeare’s team emerged from their shells they did not need to do much to win this tie. 

The second half introduction of Shinji Okazaki was transformative and he scored the first before Islam Slimani struck an outrageous second from the Japan international’s pass, without Leicester ever really being on top in the game. The questions were once again about Liverpool’s defence, with eight changes to the team from Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Burnley and the same old errors creeping in. 

Klopp admitted afterwards that the first goal, in which Liverpool’s defence lost two successive headers in the area, was hard to take. “That we conceded like this makes me really, really sick,” he said. “That is really hard.” He said later, “Defending set-pieces, it’s not the first ball obviously we have had problems with this but now we have it with the second and third ball even – and the throw-in [for the second goal].” 

Islam Slimani and Shinji Okazaki 
Islam Slimani and Shinji Okazaki scored the goals as Leicester progressed in the Carabao Cup Credit: getty images

Philippe Coutinho had been Liverpool’s greatest threat in the first half but came off at the break with Klopp saying later that the Brazilian’s substitution had been decided beforehand as necessary given his fitness levels. The two sides meet again at the King Power in the league on Saturday when Shakespeare will recall his big hitters including Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and Kasper Schmeichel who sat out this cup tie. 

Shakespeare had made seven changes from the Leicester team that drew with Huddersfield Town at the weekend and the first half saw an incoherent performance in which the away side controlled possession and got full-back Andy Robertson in down the left. With Daniel Amartey at right-back and two debutants in the team, the Spanish midfielder Vicente Iborra and the Austrian centre-half Aleksandar Dragovic, Leicester were dominated. 

“I was delighted to get in half-time level and even more delighted that they took Coutinho off,” Shakespeare. “It’s about trying to stay in the game. For as much possession and chances as they [Liverpool] have it is up to them to take those chances. They didn’t. We showed resilience and character to come back the way we did.” 

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain started on the right side, at odds with his intent to establish himself in a central position, and the former Arsenal man struggled to leave a mark on the game. In the latter stages Klopp introduced Danny Ings, who had not played since October last year following the second major surgery on his knee since he joined Liverpool in 2015 – where he has missed the majority of the last two seasons. Demarai Grey had been Leicester’s best player until around 50 minutes when Leonardo Ulloa injured at a Liverpool corner, and Shakespeare called for Okazaki. The striker won a tackle within seconds and something seemed to click in Leicester. 

Leicester vs Liverpool, Carabao Cup: live score updates
Shinji Okazaki puts Leicester ahead Credit: reuters

The first goal was a series of missed opportunities for Liverpool to clear the danger. Even after Wes Morgan and Iborra had won headers from Chilwell’s ball in after a corner was cleared, Robertson might have blocked Okazaki’s cross. Instead he succeeded only in deflecting it past the second choice goalkeeper Danny Ward.

“Everyone can imagine we know how to defend a set piece and a throw-in,” Klopp said. “I’m in the boat too, I am not saying ‘I told you and you don’t know [to the players]’. No, I feel really bad at the moment about this. It is not about not knowing, it is about doing it. 

“It feels really hard at the moment to go out after a performance like the first half but that is what we have to expect because we should be able to make seven or eight changes and still play football, that’s cool … but if you concede goals like that it makes it difficult.” 

Okazaki was the decisive presence who made the opening for the second. His run took him into the Liverpool half and he picked out Slimani who switched the ball from right foot to left and struck the shot of his life, curling in a perfect arc beyond the fingertips of Ward.

                                                                                                    

Full time

Well Liverpool dominated that game almost all the way through and were the better team for long periods, but they didn't make their dominance count. They could - and perhaps should - have been out of sight by half time, but a combination of wasteful finishing and the kind of committed defending that saw Leicester win the title meant Liverpool could not find a way through. Leicester made them pay with two clinical finishes as the game moved into its latter stages.

Jurgen Klopp won't be too downtrodden to be out of the Carabao Cup but Leicester will be delighted to have rested their best players and still come away with an impressive victory. These two play again on Saturday, and Klopp will expected much, much better. I doubt many of these players will keep their places.

Time on ball (at full time)

Average touch positions (full time)

90 mins + 4

Liverpool are pushing but this is all over, and the fans streaming out of the ground know it.

Meanwhile, Leeds have gone 2-1 up at Burnley... so no extra time there after all.

90 mins +2

Gray breaks down the left, before lifting a ball towards Slimani, who is arriving at the back stick, but it just doesn't come down in time for him.

Liverpool go up the other end and Grujic fires wide.

Burnley and Leeds are headed for extra time after Chris Wood equalises from the spot.

90 mins

Iborra gets a yellow for a nasty challenge. Liverpool have a free kick in a good position. Henderson whips it in. Albrighton clears. Four minutes added on.

88 mins

Woodburn, who looks the only player likely to get Liverpool back into this one, works himself some space and fires a stinging effort at goal. Iborra has his arm up but it isn't clear from replays if it hit his hand or face, despite the Liverpool players' insistence that they should have a penalty.

84 mins

A big moment here, with young and highly-rated Hamza Choudhury replacing Ndidi.

80 mins

Gray cuts in from the left and curls one towards the far corner, but Ward tips it wide. 

At Wembley, Spurs have gone a goal up against Barnsley, Dele Alli with a simple tap in.

GOAL!

Oooooh what a goal that is from Islam Slimani! He's basically not been involved at all tonight, but he's taken his moment with a hell of a strike to double Leicester's lead.

A throw-in on the right is flicked on by Slimani, who then turns to charge at goal as Okazaki plays the ball back to him. He cuts in onto his left and has an option to his left - he should really pass - but he ignores him and fires a rising effort into the top corner!

78 mins

Woodburn whips a ball towards goal, it takes a deflection, and Ings runs across it, misses it, and very nearly wrong-foots Hamer in the Leicester goal.

Time on ball (60 - 75 min)

75 mins

A clumsy/nasty challenge from Klavan, who puts his body into Okazaki's head and gets himself a yellow card. No complaints.

73 mins

A nice moment for Danny Ings, who makes his return, replacing Wijnaldum.

72 mins

Woodburn goes so, so close. Liverpool take a free kick quickly and Woodburn gets away down the left. He stands the defender up before bending an effort towards the far corner, but it just, JUST misses the frame of the goal.

70 mins

It's hotting up out there with some tasty challenges flying in. Iborra and Ndidi are the main culprits, and the referee calls play back.

Meanwhile, Swansea have gone 1-0 up at Reading.

69 mins

Oxlade-Chamberlain plays a neat one-two on the right and is then impeded and wins a free-kick a few yards outside the box. His ball in misses everyone and fizzes away to safety for Leicester.

67 mins

Ozlade-Chamberlain shoots over from a tough chance on the volley just inside the area.

GOAL!

How about that? Completely and utterly against the run of play, Leicester have made a set-piece count and they lead 1-0!

The initial ball in is cleared, but they come again as Iborra nods down inside the box from Morgan's flick on, and Okazaki's shot trickles into the corner via a slight deflection off the extremely unfortunate Robertson.

65 mins

Amartey slips Albrighton in on the right but Robertson gets back well to tackle. 

62 mins

There haven't been many openings since the break. Liverpool very much still controlling the game but it's been a pretty low key second half so far. The biggest cheer of the second period comes as Chilwell puts in a well-timed challenge on Oxlade-Chamberlain. Gripping stuff.

Update from Ashton Gate: Bristol City now 2-0 up against Stoke.

58 mins

Goals hard to come by in the Carabao Cup tonight, but there's an upset on the cards with Bristol City now 1-0 up against Stoke.

57 mins

First card of the game goes to Grujic, who flies in on Ndidi and deserves a yellow.

55 mins

Gray is at the centre of everything positive for Leicester, playing a brilliant switch of play out to Ndidi on the right (though that move broke down), before combining well with Okazaki and darting on off the left flank to work himself a shooting opportunity, only to drag his shot wide.

52 mins

And Ulloa will not be returning to the fray, Shinji Okazaki comes on, and that is a change they should have made anyway, in my mind.

50 mins

Wijnaldum is down after Hamer clears him out after coming to punch clear, while Ulloa is slow to get to his feet after a knock to the head. This will all add a few minutes on at the end of the game.

It's been a mismatch at King Power Stadium so far

Liverpool are dominating this game, firing in a total of 15 shots compared to three from Leicester so far.

47 mins

Gray spoons his effort way over.

Coutinho looks pretty content on the bench. No injury reported. Saturday's rematch must be in Klopp's mind.

46 mins

Positive start for Leicester, and Gray is scythed down on the edge of the box. He and Iborra are in discussions as to who shall take it. Gray wins the debate.

Here come the players

And Phillipe Coutinho has been taken off at half time! Young Ben Woodburn comes on.

Around the grounds

Scores from the other Carabao Cup games at half time:

Wolves 0-0 Bristol Rovers
Crystal Palace 1-0 Huddersfield
Bristol City 0-0 Stoke
Bournemouth 0-0 Brighton
Burnley 0-0 Leeds
Brentford 0-1 Norwich
Aston Villa 0-0 Middlesbrough
West Ham 2-0 Bolton
Tottenham 0-0 Barnsley (35 mins)
Reading 0-0 Swansea (35 mins)

Half time

Well, it's been more or less all Liverpool so far, and Leicester are fortunate to go in level at the break. Andy Robertson has been brilliant at left-back, getting forward exceptionally well and he could easily have a goal or assist to his name if it weren't for some desperate defending and lacklustre finishing. 

More of the same needed for the visitors; a half time change necessary for the hosts. 

Time on ball (first half)

Average touch positions (half time)

45 mins

Coutinho scoops a ball over the defence and into Solanke's path, but he loops onto the roof of the net. One minute added on.

44 mins

What on earth is Oxlade playing at there? Solanke releases him with a well-judged backheel, but the former Arsenal man tries one of his own to find Henderson, gets it all wrong when he could have just passed it, and Leicester are able to clear.

42 mins

Absolutely sumptuous pass from Coutinho releases Robertson on the left again, and he squares on the edge of the box for Solanke, but his touch lets him down and Leicester scramble the ball clear. Liverpool could be a couple ahead here with a better striker on the pitch. How fit it Danny Ings, I wonder?

40 mins

Iborra fouls Grujic in a very dangerous position. Coutinho over the free-kick, three yards outside the box and left of centre: this is the perfect position. He blazes high and wide.

38 mins

Leicester take a free-kick in a decent position short, the whole ground groans, Alan Smith on co-comms can't believe it, and they end up with Wes Morgan trying to control the ball by the corner flag. Now, I never mind taking a set-piece short, but that was a silly decision.

35 mins

A worry here as Solanke and Chilwell collide. The Leicester man is holding his shoulder but eventually gets to his feet gingerly, Solanke is holding his jaw, but should be alright. Shoulder and jaw is a nasty combination.

33 mins

Relentless from Liverpool, with Oxlade, then Henderson getting to the byline but their final ball hasn't been the best. The latter wins a corner but Coutinho's cross is poor and easily cleared.

Elsewhere...

West Ham go 2-0 up at home to Hudderfield as Diafra Sakho taps in from Marko Arnautovic's cross.

Time on ball (14 - 29 min)

30 mins

Iborra plays a horribly wayward switch out to Chilwell when under no pressure at all, as Leicester continue to struggle to keep the ball at all, here.

27 mins

How are Liverpool not ahead? Coutinho feeds Solanke, who gets his head down when he might look either left or right for a team-mate, his shot is blocked but falls to Robertson, who is again forward, but his drilled effort flies wide. He says it got a deflection but the referee disagrees.

22 mins

It is all Liverpool and Andy Robertson is impressing so far, this time putting a lovely curling cross into the so-feared corridor of uncertainty between the Leicester keeper and defence. Everyone watches it pass by and a stretching Solanke can only toe it over the bar.

20 mins

Demarai Gray nips in to intercept on the edge of his own box, before running the length of the field, cutting in and... and... just when he goes to shoot, Flanagan nudges him off balance and his shot is weak and easily saved by Ward.

18 mins

Liverpool break at pace with Wijnaldum bundling his way through the middle and then choosing the wrong pass with Solanke free on the left. The ball falls to Oxlade but he leans back and lifts the ball well over the bar. Wasted chance, but Liverpool well on top.

Time on ball (0 - 15 min)

Liverpool enjoying plenty of the ball

Liverpool have had 179 touches of the ball compared to 89 by Leicester.

15 mins

Grujic heads over from the corner.

Update from Selhurst Park: Bakary Sako puts Crystal Palace 1-0 up against Huddersfield.

14 mins

Liverpool totally dominant in possession and Albrighton snaps in to tackle Coutinho but he is late and is fortunate to to earn a yellow card. Free-kick in a decent position for Liverpool - they play it short and work a good move, before Gomez ends up winning a corner.

11 mins

Another good move from Liverpool again finds Robertson on the left, but Morgan does well to slide in and intercept the cross with Solanke approaching.

Coutinho then dances his way past a host of Leicester challenges on the edge of the box before trying to catch Hamer out at his near post, but the goalkeeper is equal to it.

10 mins

Coutinho loses possession all too easily on halfway, and a direct ball forward from Albrighton nearly puts Slimani in but Ward is off his line quickly to clear.

6 mins

Liverpool work the ball well out to the left where Robertson is on the overlap. His low ball across the box is turned towards goal by Oxlade, but a brilliantly last-ditch challenge from Chilwell deflects the ball over.

Update from West Ham: West Ham go 1-0 up through Ogbonna against Huddersfield.

Liverpool threaten for the first time

Following the earlier Leicester effort, Liverpool register their first attempt at goal.

2 mins

Oxlade-Chamberlain is indeed out on the right wing tonight.

Liverpool get us under way

With the away fans in fine voice under the lights at the King Power.

Three minutes until lift off

We'll have updates from the other games tonight, too, by the way.

Are either of these two managers in trouble?

What does this competition mean?

Jurgen Klopp presumably doesn't care about the Carabao Cup. Obviously he's like to win it, but if Liverpool go out tonight he won't be bothered, will he?

For Leicester, though, having tasted the glory of winning the Premier League title, will probably finish in mid-table again this year, so their fans might just enjoy a cup run. Why not take this cup seriously, eh?

These two play again on Saturday in the league. I wonder if they'll play stronger teams for that one...

A potential banana skin?

Talking points

Liverpool are playing their third-choice goalkeeper, when surely this is a good chance to give Karius or Mignolet some more game time.

Philippe Coutinho makes his second start of the season, after the draw with Burnley at the weekend, and fans will be hoping for a better performance tonight (not just from the Brazilian).

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gets his chance... but it doesn't look much like he will be in central midfield, which was the reason he moved to Liverpool in the first place, I thought.

And it's a strong(-ish) Leicester team, too

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain makes his first Liverpool start

Preamble

What is it?

It's the Caraboa Cup third round clash between Leicester and Liverpool at the King Power Stadium.

When is it?

It's tonight, so Tuesday, September 19.

What time is kick-off?

The match gets underway at 7.45pm.

What TV channel is it on?

You can follow live coverage on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event. Alternatively, bookmark this page and return later to follow team news, build up and our rolling coverage of the match.

What is the team news?

Jamie Vardy is a major doubt for Leicester. The striker has a groin problem following Saturday's 1-1 draw at Huddersfield while Matty James (Achilles), Robert Huth (ankle) and Christian Fuchs (eye) are out.

Adrien Silva remains sidelined after Fifa blocked his £22m transfer from Sporting Lisbon because his documentation was received 14 seconds after the deadline. Leicester are finalising an appeal.

Leicester's provisional squad: Schmeichel, Jakupovic, Hamer, Simpson, Morgan, Knight, Chilwell, Maguire, Dragovic, Wasilewski, Benalouane, Iborra, Ndidi, Amartey, Gray, Choudhury, Albrighton, Thomas, Mahrez, Musa, Vardy, Ulloa, Slimani, Okazaki, Iheanacho.

Jamie Vardy is an injury doubt for Leicester

Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will make his first start for the club at Leicester.

The England international, who moved to Anfield on transfer deadline day, will be joined in the team by third-choice goalkeeper Danny Ward and fellow midfielder Marko Grujic.

Striker Dominic Solanke is also set to be involved while manager Jurgen Klopp is set to make a number of changes as forward Sadio Mane sits out the second game of his three-match ban.

Liverpool's provisional squad: Ward, Gomez, Klavan, Lovren, Robertson, Grujic, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Solanke, Ings, Sturridge, Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Moreno, Can, Henderson, Coutinho, Wijnaldum, Woodburn, Firmino.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will make his first start for Liverpool Credit: Getty Images

What are they saying?

Jurgen Klopp on giving Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain his first Liverpool start:

"It is a fantastic opportunity for Alex because since he has been in it has been difficult to train on different things because of game after game after game.

"There is no rush but we are in this three-game-a-week rhythm and during the international break he was with the national team.

"But it is a long-term project so I have no problem. We sat together with him and the analysts and showed him how we want him to play in this position and that position.

"He had a wonderful impact when he came on in the last game (Saturday's 1-1 draw v Burnley) so it was very good for him."

What are the odds?

Liverpool to win 10/11 

Draw 5/2

Leicester 3/1

What's our prediction?

Liverpool to win 2-1 in normal time.

License this content