What were the chances that MK Dons were going to do it again? A 2-0 defeat at home to Liverpool in the third round of the Carabao Cup well and truly shows that the 4-0 humbling of Manchester United five years was a fluke of monstrous proportions. However, Paul Tisdale and his side can take a lot of courage from the performance they put in against the Reds. Perhaps they could be thinking of what might have been, as a bit more luck with some finishing and offside decisions could have made this a very different night.
Paul Tisdale Cannot Have Negative Approach at MK Dons
Night and Day
Though the result is ‘technically’ worse (by way of one goal, against far superior opposition) the performance put in tonight by MK Dons compared to the one against Southend United in League One and Saturday was night and day.
Tisdale’s negativity in that defeat to the Shrimpers, who took a 1-0 win for their first win of the season, was shocking. It was plain to see how well the four-man defence had worked in the second half against Ipswich Town in the previous game, so to not do that against a lacklustre Southend team angered many fans.
Although reverting to five at the back eventually against Liverpool (they started with four to test the waters), a display with far more attacking intent was put on by MK Dons, and the difference it made to the noise level in the crowd could be heard all around the ground.
McGrandles and Nombe Shine
Having been on the fringes of the squad for so long, many thought Sam Nombe would be one of those players to flitter away from the squad and eventually be released. He has come from nowhere this season, though, to suddenly be one of the most important players of the squad.
He’s different to any type of striker the Dons have. Rhys Healey would likely be getting the nod over him were it not for injury, but Nombe’s qualities, given how it looks the Dons will be playing this season, land him in good stead ahead of Jordan Bowery and Kieran Agard for a starting position.
His pace and power caused Liverpool problems all night, particularly against Joe Gomez, who received so much praise for his pre-injury performances for the Reds last season. Nombe also found success against Ki-Jana Hoever and, once Bowery had moved to a striking position with him in the second half, it looked like the beginnings of a potentially fruitful partnership between the pair.
Conor McGrandles is another who has impressed so far this season – his third with the club. He provided a high level of energy in the Dons midfield, much needed with Alex Gilbey still returning to full fitness after an injury at the back end of last season. He instead sat a little deeper along with David Kasumu to try and hold off Liverpool’s midfield three of Naby Keita, Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Chances Go Begging
Oh, what might have been. Everything seemed set up for a shock MK Dons lead when Nombe got the better Dejan Lovren. He twisted and teased Caoimhin Kelleher before laying back for McGrandles, but he curled over the bar with the goal at his mercy. The move wasn’t too dissimilar from Will Grigg’s opener against Manchester United in 2014, and it would have been a fitting way to kick off the tie.
Another golden opportunity went begging in the first half too, when Gomez failed to meet a dangerous low cross into the area. Gilbey was the guilty man this time though, blazing over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Liverpool’s opener through James Milner, aided by a huge error from Dons keeper Stuart Moore, then put the Reds in front just before the break to really rub in the fact that if you don’t take your chances against these sides, they will punish you.
That was the message in the second half too. There was a 10-15 minute spell where Jurgen Klopp’s side were really being put under the cosh by the Dons, but in the middle of all that they managed to double their lead through Ki-Jana Hoever’s header – a further indication of the quality Liverpool possessed.
Paul Tisdale Must Consider Positivity for Sunderland Trip
Things don’t get any easier for Paul Tisdale and his side. They now travel to Sunderland this Saturday having worked themselves into the ground against Liverpool to try and get a result. Given that, changes should be expected to the starting line-up. Dean Lewington will most likely return at left-back and Russell Martin should play from the start.
Nombe may even get a deserved rest in place of either Bowery or Agard, but whatever Tisdale does, he has seen against Liverpool that positivity must be the way forward. No more defensive, pragmatic playing it around the back when they need to get forward to score a goal. If the Dons can put in that sort of performance against Liverpool, they can do it against anyone, and threaten anyone, in League One.
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