Holders Liverpool secured a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals for the third time in four seasons with a 2-1 victory over managerless Southampton. Goals from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott ensured the Reds’ progression, as they now await a semi-final clash with either Arsenal, Newcastle, or the winners of Thursday’s tie between Tottenham and Manchester United. The draw for the last four will take place at 10:30 pm following that match in north London.
Southampton, who parted ways with manager Russell Martin after their 5-0 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday, were led by interim coach Simon Rusk. Rusk employed a defensive 5-4-1 formation that frustrated Liverpool for over 20 minutes, keeping them at bay. However, Liverpool broke the deadlock with their first shot on target. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s ball through the middle deflected off Jan Bednarek’s leg, allowing Nunez to race through and finish coolly past Alex McCarthy.
Just eight minutes later, it was 2-0 as Liverpool sliced through the Saints’ defense. Cody Gakpo released Elliott, who calmly slotted the ball into the net to double the lead.
Southampton managed to pull one back just before the hour mark, when Cameron Archer curled a shot past Caoimhin Kelleher to give them a glimmer of hope. Seconds later, they nearly leveled the score, but Kelleher’s quick reflex save denied Archer’s flick, and Jarell Quansah blocked the follow-up from Mateus Fernandes.
The Saints’ revival sparked a stronger response from the home crowd, especially after the introduction of towering forward Paul Onuachu. Rusk also brought on Adam Lallana, Ben Brereton Diaz, and Kamaldeen Sulemana, hoping their attacking force would create a dramatic equalizer and send the game to penalties.
Late on, Southampton thought they had a chance for a penalty when Quansah was adjudged to have grappled with Fernandes just outside the box, and the Portuguese forward went down inside the area. However, referee Simon Hooper waved away the appeals, and without VAR, the decision stood.
Despite a late surge, Southampton could not find a second goal, and Liverpool held on to secure their place in the semi-finals.
