Liverpool booked their ticket to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup with a 2-1 win against Premier League rivals Southampton.
With Arne Slot suspended for the game and having one eye on Sunday’s trip to Tottenham, the Dutch manager opted to rotate Liverpool’s starting XI greatly from the side that faced Fulham at Anfield on Saturday.
Here’s how Liverpool’s players rated against Southampton in the Carabao Cup quarter-final.
Wataru Endo of Liverpool battles for possession with Joe Aribo of Southampton during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Southampton and L...
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Defence
Caoimhin Kelleher: 6 – Back in the starting XI for the first time since Alisson Becker’s return to injury, Caoimhin Kelleher was once again an assured presence between the sticks for Liverpool, with the Republic of Ireland international unable to do anything to stop Cameron Archer’s fantastic finish.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 7 – Playing just the opening half before being brought off for Federico Chiesa, Trent Alexander-Arnold got a good run out on the south coast, with Francis Benali lauding the England international for his assist for Darwin Nuenz in the first-half.
Jarell Quansah: 6 – Although Jarell Quansah lost his man to allow Cameron Archer to fire Southampton back unto the game, the Liverpool youngster gave one of his strongest showings of the season yet, an impressive task with the defender playing alongside a mix-and-match backline.
Wataru Endo: 6 – Arne Slot teased that an unusual name could be in Liverpool’s defence, and that player turned out to be Wataru Endo, who despite being a natural central midfielder more than impressed out of position for the Reds against a Southampton side who grew into the game the longer it went on.
Joe Gomez: 6 – The Swiss Army Knife defender that has been called upon many times by Liverpool over the years, Joe Gomez today played left-back for the first half before being brought off for Kosts Tsimikas, with the natural centre-back putting in a solid shift.
(THE SUN OUT THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Mateus Fernandes of Southampton battles for possession with Tyler Morton of Liverpool during the Carabao Cup Qu...
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Midfield
Trey Nyoni: 5 – Making his first professional start for Liverpool, Trey Nyoni went into this season as one of the most exciting prospects in the Premier League, yet despite this early hype, the teenager failed to leave much of an impression on the match, with Southampton’s midfield bullying the 17-year-old in the centre.
Tyler Morton: 4 – Tyler Morton has found first-team minutes hard to come by this season under Arne Slot, and the midfielder will be disappointed with his performance tonight on the south coast, with the youngster finding it difficult to keep up with Southampton’s pace as well as his tactical instructions.
Alexis Mac Allister: 7 – Making his long-awaited return after missing the last two games due to suspension, Alexis Mac Allister once again showed why he’s one of Liverpool’s most important players as the Argentine international kept things ticking in the midfield before being taken off past the hour mark.
Harvey Elliott of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Southampton and Liverpool ...
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Attack
Harvey Elliott: 8 – Replacing Mohamed Salah out on the right-wing, it was a game to remember for Harvey Elliott, with the £5m signing from Fulham showing why he could soon become a regular for Slot. An ‘excellent’ goal and performance capped a strong performance for the Liverpool youngster.
Darwin Nunez: 7 – If anyone needed a goal tonight, it was Darwin Nunez, with the Uruguay international managing just that as the former Benfica star easily finished past Alex McCarthy to set Liverpool on their way to victory against Southampton.
Cody Gakpo: 7 – Danny Murphy lauded Cody Gakpo as ‘wonderful’ after the Liverpool winger’s performance against Fulham on Saturday, and the Dutch international again proved his worth for the Reds with an excellent attacking performance with the forward assisting Harvey Elliott.
Substitutes
Kostas Tsimikas: 6 – Back on the pitch for the first time in weeks, looked comfortable in the 45 minutes played against Southampton.
Federico Chiesa: 6 – Another welcome return for Liverpool with Federico Chiesa making his first appearance since September. Missed two great chances to score but clearly looked rusty having played so little.
Diogo Jota: 5 – Lacked the bite that made the Portuguese international so threatening against Fulham. Clearly still not fully fit.
James McConnell: 5 – Was tidy enough in the midfield but could have benefited from coming on earlier with Tyler Morton struggling.
Jayden Danns: 5 – N/A
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