Liverpool are through to the semifinals of the League Cup alongside Arsenal and Newcastle, thanks to a hard-fought 2-1 victory away to Southampton on Wednesday.
MORE - League Cup schedule & results
Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott scored Liverpool’s goals just 8 minutes apart in the first half, but Southampton made it very interesting through a fantastic goal from Cameron Archer in the 59th minute. The following few minutes were all Saints, and Liverpool were perhaps a bit fortunate to still be ahead after Archer and Mateus Fernandes had back-to-back chances in the 61st.
The Reds largely regained their composure the rest of the way, but they rode their luck just a bit in stoppage time as Jarell Quansah was let off the hook for a potential DOGSO foul against Fernandes on the edge of the box. Referee Simon Hooper immediately waved his arms and finger in Fernandes’ direction, and that was just about that.
The semifinal draw will be held on Thursday following the conclusion of Tottenham vs Manchester United, with the first legs set for early January and the second legs in early February.
Player ratings - Southampton vs Liverpool
What’s next?
- Fulham vs Southampton — Sunday (9 am ET)
- Tottenham vs Liverpool — Sunday (11:30 am ET)
Southampton vs Liverpool live updates - by Andy Edwards
Southampton vs Liverpool final score: 1-2
Goalscorers: Darwin Nunez (24'), Harvey Elliott (32'), Cameron Archer (59')
GOAL! Southampton 1-2 Liverpool: Archer cuts inside and fires home (59')
Cameron Archer cuts-back and curls one in for Southampton! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/MJX07T1Z5w
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) December 18, 2024
GOAL! Southampton 0-2 Liverpool: Elliott threads the needle from the edge of the box (32')
Cody Gakpo finds Harvey Elliott who slots it home for Liverpool 💥 pic.twitter.com/feQMwZtmaF
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) December 18, 2024
GOAL! Southampton 0-1 Liverpool: Nunez gets in behind, McCarthy slips for the opener (24')
Darwin Núñez is there to cash it in for Liverpool after a WILD bounce off the defender 👀 pic.twitter.com/IZioqTFlzy
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) December 18, 2024
Liverpool starting lineup
Kelleher - Quansah, Gomez, Morton, Alexander-Arnold - Endo, Mac Allister, Elliott - Nyoni, Gakpo, Nunez
Southampton starting lineup
McCarthy - Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood - Bree, Downes, Fernandes, Aribo, Manning - Dibling, Archer
How to watch Southampton vs Liverpool live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Wednesday (December 18)
Venue: St Mary’s — Southampton
TV Channel: Paramount+
Streaming: Paramount+
Russell Martin was sacked on Sunday after Saints’ humbling 5-0 home defeat to Tottenham and it was coming. After 16 games of the Premier League season the newly-promoted side have just one win and five points on the board as Martin’s possession-based, high-risk approach never looked like working. Saints only lost 3-2 at home against Liverpool last month and led 2-1 until late on.
But Arne Slot’s Liverpool have that great knack of not looking like they’re going to lose. Yes, they’ve drawn against Newcastle and Fulham in their last two Premier League games but the latter saw them battle for over 75 minutes with 10 men to fight back twice and grab a 2-2 draw. Some shaky defensive displays has given the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal hope that Liverpool can be caught in the title race but Slot’s side are still looking great and will rotate their team heavily for this League Cup quarterfinal. Slot won’t be on the touchline on Wednesday due to a suspension.
Southampton team news, focus
Saints’ U21 manager Simon Rusk is in interim charge for this game as they search for a successor to Martin. The main task is to keep themselves in games. Right now they’re making so many defensive mistakes and gifting goals to opponents. The likes of Lallana, Onuachu and Archer should all start as Southampton try and stay solid and be a threat on the break, while goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale could be back from injury which is a big boost.
OUT: Gavin Bazunu (Achilles), Ross Stewart (muscular), William Smallbone (thigh), Jack Stephens (suspension), Juan Larios (unspecified), Adam Armstrong (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Aaron Ramsdale (finger)
Liverpool team news, focus
This is a great opportunity for Slot to rotate his side heavily. Chiesa, Jota, Elliott, Endo, Nunez, Morton, Quansah and Kelleher should all start and they deserve their chance as they’ve waited patiently this season. Slot has a clear starting XI but these squad players have never let him down and are stepping up whenever called upon.
OUT: Conor Bradley (hamstring), Ibrahima Konate (knee), Andy Robertson (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Kostas Tsimikas (foot)
Southampton vs Liverpool prediction
This could get ugly but Southampton won’t be anywhere near as adventurous as they were under Martin. Expect Liverpool to be a bit disjointed with so many changes, but they’ll get the job done. Southampton 1-2 Liverpool.
