Liverpool marched into the final 4 of the Carabao Cup after a 2-1 victory over Southampton on Wednesday night.
Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott discovered the online within the first-half for a much-changed Reds aspect with out each Virgil van Dijk or Mohamed Salah.
Cameron Archer pulled one again as Southampton, stewarded by interim boss Simon Rusk after the sacking of Russell Martin, tried to mount a spirted comeback after the break.
Nevertheless it was Arne Slot’s aspect who progressed as they appear to retain their Carabao Cup crown.
Via to the @Carabao_Cup semi-finals! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/nzszAMwu7Z
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 18, 2024
As a consequence of a touchline ban incurred selecting up a 3rd yellow card of the marketing campaign in the course of the 2-2 draw with Fulham on Saturday, Slot watched on from up within the stands at St Mary’s.
And the Liverpool boss would have been largely content material with the early viewing, the Reds shortly asserting their dominance in possession.
Children Tyler Morton and 17-year-old Trey Nyoni, making his first senior begin, noticed loads of the ball, however there was little in the best way of penetration from the league leaders.
For Southampton, one of many extra contentious problems with Martin’s reign this season had been the insistence on taking part in out from the again.
That loud cheers sounded all through the stadium each time the Saints cleared their traces was a fairly telling indication of the followers’ feeling on the matter.
So there was one thing of a merciless irony about Liverpool’s opening aim coming after a protracted ball from deep.
Trent Alexander-Arnold supplied the assist-of-sorts when his lofted move was miss-kicked by Jan Bednarek into the trail of Nunez.
The Liverpool quantity 9 took one contact earlier than slotting previous Alex McCarthy. With no VAR till the semi-finals, the aim stood and Nunez wheeled away in celebration.
Earlier than lengthy it was two, Elliott grabbing his first of the season when he completed off an incisive passing transfer down Liverpool’s left.
Harvey Elliott will get his first aim of the season! 💫 pic.twitter.com/OksUKPUySa
— Sky Sports activities Soccer (@SkyFootball) December 18, 2024
For Southampton, who’ve so typically this time period conceded shortly after going behind, all of it felt painfully acquainted.
Alexis Mac Allister then drew a sensible save from McCarthy to forestall a 3rd however Liverpool had been in complete management going into the break.
Southampton got here out for the second-half with a bit of extra spark and had been rewarded for his or her efforts when Cameron Archer halved the deficit with an excellent end simply earlier than the hour.
Cameron Archer, what a aim! 😍 pic.twitter.com/Z3gq5r9NUT
— Sky Sports activities Soccer (@SkyFootball) December 18, 2024
It out of the blue gave the hosts life. Caoimhin Kelleher’s reflexes had been firmly put to the check as Archer went shut once more moments later.
A correct cup tie appeared to be on the playing cards. With their tails up, Southampton appeared much more energetic.
They scuppered a few half-chances however failed to essentially check Kelleher.
In the long run, Liverpool had been made to sweat over a victory that, on first-half viewing, appeared to be an inevitability.
Southampton’s plucky second-half exhibiting earned applause at full-time. Indicators, maybe, that there’s nonetheless some battle left on this aspect.