Liverpool marched into the last four of the Carabao Cup after a 2-1 victory over Southampton on Wednesday evening.
Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott found the net in the first-half for a much-changed Reds side without both Virgil van Dijk or Mohamed Salah.
Cameron Archer pulled one back as Southampton, stewarded by interim boss Simon Rusk after the sacking of Russell Martin, tried to mount a spirted comeback after the break.
But it was Arne Slot’s side who progressed as they look to retain their Carabao Cup crown.
Through to the @Carabao_Cup semi-finals! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/nzszAMwu7Z
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 18, 2024
Due to a touchline ban incurred after picking up a third yellow card of the season during the 2-2 draw with Fulham on Saturday, Slot watched on from up in the stands at St Mary’s.
And the Liverpool boss would have been largely content with the early viewing, the Reds quickly asserting their dominance in possession.
Youngsters Tyler Morton and 17-year-old Trey Nyoni, making his first senior start, saw plenty of the ball, but there was little in the way of penetration from the league leaders.
For Southampton, one of the more contentious issues of Martin’s reign this season had been the insistence on playing out from the back.
That loud cheers sounded throughout the stadium every time the Saints cleared their lines was a rather telling indication of the fans’ feeling on the matter.
So there was something of a cruel irony about Liverpool’s opening goal coming after a long ball from deep.
Trent Alexander-Arnold provided the assist-of-sorts when his lofted pass was miss-kicked by Jan Bednarek into the path of Nunez.
The Liverpool number nine took one touch before slotting past Alex McCarthy. With no VAR until the semi-finals, the goal stood and Nunez wheeled away in celebration.
Before long it was two, Elliott grabbing his first of the season when he finished off an incisive passing move down Liverpool’s left.
Harvey Elliott gets his first goal of the season! 💫 pic.twitter.com/OksUKPUySa
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 18, 2024
For Southampton, who have so often this term conceded quickly after going behind, it all felt painfully familiar.
Alexis Mac Allister then drew a smart save from McCarthy to prevent a third but Liverpool were in total control going into the break.
Southampton came out for the second-half with a little more spark and were rewarded for their efforts when Cameron Archer halved the deficit with a brilliant finish just before the hour.
Cameron Archer, what a goal! 😍 pic.twitter.com/Z3gq5r9NUT
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 18, 2024
It suddenly gave the hosts life. Caoimhin Kelleher’s reflexes were firmly put to the test as Archer went close again moments later.
A proper cup tie looked to be on the cards. With their tails up, Southampton looked far more lively.
They scuppered a couple of half-chances without ever really testing Kelleher.
Jarell Quansah was perhaps lucky not to see red when he brought down Mateus Fernandes late on. In the end, Liverpool progressed but were made to sweat over a victory that, on first-half viewing, looked to be an inevitability.
Southampton’s plucky second-half showing earned applause from the crowd at full-time. Signs, perhaps, that there is still some fight left in this side.
