Liverpool qualified for the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup following a 2-1 win over Southampton on Wednesday evening.
Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott found the back of the net in the first half for a Reds side much changed without Virgil van Dijk or Mohamed Salah.
Cameron Archer pulled one back for Southampton, under the supervision of the interim coach Simon Rask after the dismissal of Russell Martin, Try to make an energetic comeback after the break.
But it is Arne Slott's side who have qualified and are looking to retain their Carabao Cup title.
Through to @Carabao_Cup Semi-final! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/nzszAMwu7Z
– Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 18, 2024
Given a touchline ban after picking up his third yellow card of the season during the 2-2 draw with Fulham on Saturday, Slott watched from the stands at St Mary's Stadium.
The Liverpool manager would have been largely satisfied with early viewing, and the Reds quickly asserted their dominance of the ball.
17-year-old youngsters Tyler Morton and Trey Nyonyi, making their first appearances for the first team, saw plenty of the ball, but there was little penetration from the league leaders.
For Southampton, one of the most contentious issues under Martin this season has been the insistence on playing from the back.
Those loud cheers that sounded throughout the stadium every time the Saints cleared their lines were a fairly clear indication of how the fans felt on this 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 an assist of sorts when Jan Bednarek fumbled his lofted pass into the path of Nunez.
Liverpool's number nine had one touch before slotting the ball past Alex McCarthy. With no VAR until the semi-finals, the goal was scored and Nunez celebrated.
It wasn't long until it was two, as Elliott grabbed his first goal of the season when he finished off an incisive passing move down Liverpool's left.
Harvey Elliott scores his first goal of the season! 💫 pic.twitter.com/OksUKPUySa
– Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 18, 2024
For Southampton, who have often conceded quickly after falling behind, it looked painfully familiar.
Alexis Mac Allister then made a smart save from McCarthy to prevent the third goal but Liverpool were in complete control of the first half.
Southampton came into the second half with more brilliance and were rewarded for their efforts when Cameron Archer halved the deficit with a brilliant finish just before the hour mark.
Cameron Archer, what a goal! 😍 pic.twitter.com/Z3gq5r9NUT
– Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 18, 2024
And suddenly the hosts gave life. Caoimhin Kelleher's reflexes were severely tested when Archer approached again moments later.
A proper cup tie appears to be on the cards. With their tails high, Southampton looked much livelier.
They blew a few chances without really testing Kelleher.
Jarrel Quansah was probably lucky he didn't see red when he brought down Matheus Fernandes late on. In the end, Liverpool qualified but were reeling from a win that, watching in the first half, seemed inevitable.
Southampton's brave display in the second half earned applause from the crowd throughout. There may be signs that there is still some fighting on this side.
