Paul Scholes has praised the second-half cameo of Fabio Carvalho after Liverpool suffered a hugely disappointing defeat at the hands of his former club Manchester United on Monday evening.
Both sides came into the Old Trafford clash without a win to their name after two matches. United didn't even have a point, but it was Eric ten Hag's team who showed the greater desire to register a first victory of the season as goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford ultimately secured all three points.
Mohamed Salah pulled on back with 10 minutes to play but the Red Devils held on to leapfrog Jurgen Klopp's side in the table and leave their arch rivals winless after three games.
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The FA and EFL Cup holders looked over-ran in midfield and had few options to change the outcome off the bench. But one ray of light was the performance of new signing Carvalho, who came on with 17 minutes to go and helped push the wayward Reds on to the front foot.
His contribution did not going unnoticed by former United midfield star Scholes. Speaking to Optus Sport, he said: “I thought Carvalho did well when he came on. He carried the ball, running forward. That’s what I mean about creativity in the middle of the pitch. Milner and Henderson – they’re too similar. When Carvalho came on he actually started running at the defence and trying to create a little bit more.”
Carvalho joined Liverpool from Fulham in the summer after they held off competition from a host of top clubs for his services. The 19-year-old is yet to start a Premier League match for the Reds, but after three substitute appearances could now play himself into contention.
Liverpool manager Klopp's midfield options continue to be hampered, with Thiago, Naby Keita, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all missing through injury. But with greater creative spark desperately needed behind the front-three, the Portugal U21 international may now be ready to take the next step.
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