Southampton saw their run in this season’s edition of the FA Cup come to an end on Wednesday night.
The Saints travelled from St Mary’s to Anfield to take on Premier League leaders Liverpool at the fifth round stage.
However, Lewis Koumas’ strike just before the break, and a second half double from Jayden Danns, secured a 3-0 win for the hosts.
Although that is now three straight defeats for Russell Martin‘s side, there were positives to be taken from some elements of the Southampton performance on Merseyside.
One player who did struggle in that game for the Saints though, was Will Smallbone.
A tough night for one Southampton midfielder
Following his summer move from Stoke City, Smallbone has been a regular in the starting XI for Southampton this season.
However, he dropped to the bench from the start against Liverpool. He was then introduced with around 20 minutes of normal time remaining.
That was a move that did not go all that well. It was Smallbone’s loose pass that gave possession to Harvey Elliott, allowing him to tee-up Danns to score the vital second goal.
Indeed, writing about the Southampton midfielder’s performance from the bench at Anfield, The Daily Echo said: “Came on for the final 20 minutes. Gave the ball away for Liverpool’s second and definitive goal. Poor in possession with a 56 per cent pass accuracy and did little to prevent Reds attacks.”
As a result, Smallbone was given a score of just 4/10 for his efforts against Liverpool.
According to SofaScore, not only did the midfielder make that error leading to a goal, as well as producing that below pass success rate, he also failed to make any tackles, interceptions or clearances on Wednesday night.
The Southampton man also lost the one duels he was involved in. Going forward meanwhile, he failed to get a single shot away, or complete any dribbles.
This therefore, was clearly a difficult night for the 24-year-old.
Will Smallbone may now struggle to start
So far this season, Smallbone has been a regular feature for Southampton under Martin.
However, that may not remain the case after this performance. There were some costly moments from the midfielder in this match.
Those contributed to a defeat for the Saints, in what may have been an opportunity against a young Liverpool side.
As the stats show, those were also errors that he was not really able to atone for at Anfield.
That may mean that Martin will now be more hesitant to use him, in some of the key games Southampton have to come in the battle for promotion.
Indeed, he may not feel the need to take that chance, after the likes of Shea Charles and Joe Rothwell produced improved performances in the centre of the park at Anfield.
There is also the fact that Flynn Downes could soon return from injury to add to those options as well.
With that in mind, it may be a surprise if we do see Smallbone back in a Southampton starting lineup anytime soon.