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The atmosphere at the St Marys Stadium was a mixture of excitement and uncertainty, as the Premier League’s bottom-placed team entertained the table-topping team visiting.
Below is how the team lined up, with match details following.
Starting XI:Caoimhin Kelleher,Trent Alexander Arnold,Jarell Quansah,Wataru Endo,Joe Gomez,Alexis Mac Allister,Trey Nyoni,Tyler Morton,Harvey Elliott,Darwin Núñez,Cody Gakpo
Subs
Federico Chiesa – Trent Alexander Arnold (45 mins)
Kostas Tsimikas – Joe Gomez (45 mins)
Diogo Jota – Cody Gakpo (62 mins)
James McConnell – Alexis Mac Allister (62 mins)
Jayden Danns – Trey Nyoni (86 mins)
Goals (Assisted by)
Southampton 0 – 1 Liverpool –Darwin Núñez – 24 mins
Southampton 0 – 2 Liverpool –Harvey Elliott (Cody Gakpo) – 32 mins
Southampton 1 – 2 Liverpool –Cameron Archer – 59 mins
Important Match Stats
Possession:Southampton 31% – 69% Liverpool
Total Shots:Southampton 6 – 14 Liverpool
Corner Kicks:Southampton 3 – 7 Liverpool
Offsides:Southampton 4 – 1 Liverpool
Fouls:Southampton 10 – 10 Liverpool
Goalkeeper Saves:Southampton 1 – 3 Liverpool
The First Half
The opening period of the game saw the away team looking to overwhelm and dominate the middle of the pitch, with a defensive line which shifted from a back four into an operating three whenever required. With Southampton looking beleaguered and unsure of how to undertake their on-ball patterns of play, the superior Reds were able to pick the south coast team apart at will. Despite some overambitious ball playing by the captain on the night, Trent Alexander Arnold, eventually a deflected through ball landed at the feet of the advancing Uruguayan, Darwin Núñez, who was able to control the ball and drive a low shot under Alex McCarthy to open the scoring.
With Liverpool continuing to assert their control in this quarter-final encounter, some smart interplay ended with Harvey Elliott scoring from 18 yards out, after being assisted by Cody Gakpo. As somewhat of a hybrid between the defence and midfield, the Japan captain, Wataru Endo, was able to add steel and determination amongst a raft of brilliance within a first-half display that allowed domination and quality to shine through.
The half ended with Liverpool two goals up and looking a certain bet for a place in the EFL Cup Semi-Finals.
🇯🇵 Wataru Endo with a great performance tonight.
– Most tackles won (4)
– Most duels won (10)
– Most fouled player on the pitch (4)
– 94% pass completion rate
– 2 interceptions
– 4 recoveries
Mr reliable. 👏 pic.twitter.com/HPLCMHhSFO
— AnfieldIndex (@AnfieldIndex) December 18, 2024
Second Half
At the start of the second half, the away side made two changes, as the Liverpool head coach sent out the players who needed minutes in their legs, allowing for a vital rest period for two important defenders.
After a scruffy opening period where neither team gained control, the LFC lineup alterations allowed Southampton back into the tie. Following a deflection off of the head of an unaware Wataru Endo, the ball ran through towards the penetrating Saints attacker, Cameron Archer. Due to some lacklustre defensive work by Tyler Morton and Jarell Quansah, the Saints striker was able to cut inside and curl a superb effort into the top corner. The EFL Cup keeper, Caoimhin Kelleher, was unable to stop the ball flying into the goal and the game was well and truly on. The Irish keeper was needed shortly after to produce a wonderful one-handed save, as the home side was rallied by their excited fanbase.
With more substitutions came a little more drive from Liverpool, as Diogo Jota combined well with Federico Chiesa before the Italy international forward struck a weak shot which was well intercepted and cleared. Some frenetic play was evident at either end and it would be some very encouraging moments by the Reds Italian player which nearly saw the game closed out. Some last-ditch defending was apparent to ensure the score stayed at 1-2 and Liverpool eventually progressed into the last four.
What Are My Final Thoughts…?
This contest was always going to have moments that had to be navigated with care, however, to come out victorious and with a raft of players rested before the trip to Tottenham on Sunday, only plus points can be taken from this winning cup quarter-final.
Liverpool have gone 20 games unbeaten within a single season in all competitions for the first time since March 1996. #lfc
✍️ @michael_reid11 pic.twitter.com/Z7MldlTr8r
— Anything Liverpool (@AnythingLFC_) December 18, 2024
Steven Smith’s Score Prediction:Southampton 1 – 3 Liverpool
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