Carabao Cup 2017/18: Leicester City 2-0 Liverpool, 5 talking points

Goals: Shinji Okazaki 65', Islam Slimani 78'

Liverpool crashed out of the Carabao Cup at the first time of asking as the Reds went down 2-0 against Leicester City in the third round. Both sides made a number of changes to their starting lineup with Jurgen Klopp making as many as eight changes to the side that drew against Burnley. Liverpool were the better side in the first half, creating a number of chances and enjoying a healthy share of the ball.

But the Foxes stayed in the game and changed the course of the match through some inspired substitutions in the second half. Two goals after the hour mark meant Leicester progressed into the next round whereas Liverpool missed out on yet another chance to win a trophy. On that note, let's take a look at the five crucial talking points from a hugely disappointing defeat for Liverpool at the King Power stadium:

#1 A defeat in the Liverpool Way

This type of performance which was on show at the King Power last night has gone on to become a recurring theme for Jurgen Klopp and his men. Dominating the game, creating a ton of chances, enjoying a majority of the possession but failing to get on the end of a chance; with less talked about the defence the better.

Liverpool have attempted 87 shots in their last five matches. 87 SHOTS. 3 goals have been scored from them and 10 conceded at the other end. This tells the story of where Liverpool have proved to be inferior to the other top teams in the league. Barring the freak result against Manchester City, Liverpool have played exceedingly well against Sevilla, Burnley and now Leicester City but the results are in front of us.

Speaking about the defence, the back four committed the same mistakes which saw the likes of Burnley and Sevilla capitalise. Questions now have to be raised about the tactical regime at Melwood because the defenders are making the same schoolboy mistakes in the set piece and throw in situations.

#2 Philippe Coutinho is back!

Philippe Coutinho looked threatening

After the whole summer saga, the Brazilian was given a first start of the season and he reminded exactly why Liverpool valued him so highly and rejected a number of €100 million plus bids for the playmaker.

In his previous two appearances from the bench, Coutinho had looked rusty but against Leicester, he looked assured on the ball and gave glimpses of his last season self.

Coutinho was one of the best players in the first half with his nimble feet coupled with his smart link-up play troubling the Leicester defenders. The Brazilian was looking like the player who would conjure something for Liverpool but failed to do so at the end. He was taken off at halftime which surprised quite a few but with three more away games coming up in the next 10 days, Liverpool needed the 25-year-old to have ample rest to fire on all cylinders.

#3 Shinji Okazaki - Leicester City's catalyst for a famous win

Shinji Okazaki was Leicester's game-changer

The Foxes were looking down the barrel after a drab first half. With Jamie Vardy injured and Leonardo Ulloa being isolated, Leicester never looked like scoring a goal until the Argentine striker was taken off for the arrival of Shinji Okazaki. As soon as the Japanese international made his way onto the field, the Slimani-Okazaki partnership looked threatening.

Okazaki troubled the Liverpool back line by closing down with intent and took advantage of the usual shortcomings from the Reds' defence. He scored Leicester's first after the hour mark albeit with some help of a deflection but the goal was well-deserved for the forward who proved to be a game changer for Craig Shakespeare's side.

#4 A start to forget for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Ox failed to impress in his first ever start

After a couple of cameos from the bench, the League Cup tie was much anticipated for the first start in a red shirt for £35 million deadline day signing, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. But the evening did not go as planned for the versatile midfielder who was played on the right flank against the Foxes. Chamberlain lacked a cutting edge in his performance and even when Liverpool were dominating in the first half, he failed to show any confidence with the ball at his feet.

He was dispossessed quite a few times, his crosses went astray, his short passing was below the par and he also looked to have taken his chances halfheartedly. It could be argued that this being the new signing's first start for his new club, he was ought to lack sharpness.

But Chamberlain has to make the most of the chances he gets as looking by the start to his Liverpool career, it is difficult for him to break into the playing eleven in the Premier League or in the Champions League.

#5 Liverpool's left-back conundrum is over

The Scot was Liverpool's best player on the night

Jurgen Klopp has shuffled between Andrew Robertson and Alberto Moreno in the current season with Moreno being the probable first choice in the big games. But looking by Robertson's showing in the chances that he has received, the Scot deserves a long run in the starting lineup.

The left-back was undoubtedly Liverpool's best player of the match with the former Hull City man linking brilliantly with Coutinho and Dominic Solanke and putting in dangerous crosses one after the other. Robertson should have had an assist in this game but unfortunately, no Liverpool attacker got at the end of his superb deliveries.

He was not tested defensively at all but looking at his current form, Robertson has staked his claim in this Liverpool setup. From being worried about Liverpool's left back problems to now having two able players fighting for the much-talked-about position, Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool now have one less thing to worry about.