Liverpool through to League Cup semis with 2-1 win over Southampton
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Liverpool's James McConnell, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo celebrate after the match.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Liverpool manager Arne Slot praised his second-string players for stepping up to the task to book their spot in the League Cup semi-finals on Dec 18, with a 2-1 win at Southampton.
The Dutchman, who watched the game from the press box while serving a touchline ban, made multiple changes to his starting line-up, allowing players who require minutes to play and also giving opportunities to a number of youngsters.
The holders Liverpool clinched their quarter-final victory at a wet and windy St Mary’s Stadium, thanks to goals from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott.
“It would be normal if I play with all the regular starters that we have a better team than we have tonight, otherwise I make every week the wrong decision,” said Slot.
“But we also trust these (squad) players because we know how much quality they have. So that’s the first reason to play these players. We have a lot of confidence in them as well.
“Harvey already had a good impact in the game at the weekend against Fulham (2-2 draw), so it was good to see he is able to play 90 for him today and even score a goal.
“And Wataru Endo in a different position playing such a good game in these circumstances, that shows you what a quality player he is.”
In the other last-eight clashes, Gabriel Jesus bagged a second-half hat-trick as Arsenal came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 3-2, and Sandro Tonali scored twice to lead Newcastle United to a 3-1 win over Brentford.
Nunez, who had been goaded by Saints fans earlier in the game for a wild miss, got on the scoresheet for Liverpool in the 24th minute, pouncing after a miskick by centre-back Jan Bednarek and a slip by goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.
The Uruguayan striker put his finger to his lips in a gesture to the crowd after finishing past McCarthy.
Elliott doubled the Reds’ lead eight minutes later when he unleashed a low, hard shot from Cody Gakpo’s pass. Cameron Archer pulled one back for the home side in the 59th minute with a curling shot from just inside the box.
“We came into this game knowing the circumstances that Southampton were going through and knew they were going to come out fighting and we were ready for it,” Elliott told Sky Sports.
The game was a tale of teams at opposite ends of the Premier League table, with Liverpool at the summit and Southampton – who sacked manager Russell Martin following their 5-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur on Dec 15 – in last place with just one win.
“We have to defend the trophy because the club won it last season, so we want to compete in every league and this is one of them, so we’re happy that we reached the semi-final,” added Slot.
Meanwhile at St James’ Park, Tonali scored in the ninth minute when Nathan Collins’ attempted clearance fell at his feet and he unleashed a long-range rocket – his first goal since his return in late August from a 10-month ban for breaching betting rules.
He volleyed home Anthony Gordon’s cross from near the penalty spot just before the break for his second goal, and the Magpies added a third when Bruno Guimaraes sent a pass across the goal for Fabian Schar to tap home.
“It was great to see Sandro score the two that he did,” Newcastle boss Eddie Howe told the BBC. “Just a really good feeling about the group at the moment. We are building in confidence all the time.”
Yoane Wissa pulled one back for Brentford in injury time but the game was well out of reach by then.
The last semi-final place was up for grabs on Dec 19 when Tottenham hosted Manchester United. The match kicked off after press time. REUTERS, AFP
