Incumbents Liverpool reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup for the third time in 4 seasons with a 2-1 win over Southampton without a manager.
Goals from Darwin Núñez and Harvey Elliott gave Arne Slot’s Reds the task accomplished as they advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face Arsenal, Newcastle or the winners of Thursday night’s draw between Tottenham and Manchester United, who is broadcast live on Sky Sports. . .
The semi-final draw will be held at 10.30pm, following the conclusion of that match in north London.
The Saints, who fired Russell Martin shortly after Sunday’s 5-0 victory at the hands of Tottenham, were led by interim chief coach Simon Rusk, who hired a specific defensive technique at St Mary’s; The 5-4-1 training outside the property kept the reds for more than 20 minutes.
Liverpool then spotted A with their first shot on target. Trend Alexander-Arnold sent a ball down the middle, which hit Jan Bednarek’s outstretched leg and allowed Darwin Nunez to pass one-on-one past Alex McCarthy.
Eight minutes later it was 2-0 as Liverpool sculpted their hosts’ defense with ease, with Cody Gakpo sliding in on Elliott to apply an undeniable finish.
Just before the hour, out of nowhere, the Saints threw themselves a lifeline when Cameron Archer huddled in front of Caoimhin Kelleher, and nearly leveled a few seconds later when Kelleher’s reflex continued Archer’s punch, before Jarell Quansah blocked Mateus Fernandez’s -up.
This aroused a moderate space crowd, as well as the arrival of Paul Onuachu, who turned out to be a leader in front with his imposing presence. Rusk also brought Adam Lallana, Ben Brereton Diaz and Kamaldeen Soumana, without a doubt with the hope that the complete attack in the final stages would bring the goal that the penalties would force.
He nearly got his wish late on, Quansah grappled with Fernandes outside the area, with the Portuguese going down inside the box – but referee Simon Hooper immediately waved away appeals for a red card and, with no VAR, the decision stood.
Jobi Mcanuff of Sky Sports:
“It’s a foul, absolutely. A loose shot and a red card. The moment Quansah allows the ball to bounce, he’s in trouble.
“Quansah has just got to get to the pitch of the ball and just get something on it. He doesn’t and now he’s all over Fernandes, drags him down and Kelleher is not going to get there so Fernandes would be the one getting onto that. For me, it’s a really poor decision.”
Izzy Christiansen of Sky Sports:
“This is a bad decision. He was sent off, but it wasn’t a penalty. “
Declan Olley from Sky Sports:
In his first start since May, Elliott shone in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup quarter-final win at Southampton.
The midfielder got what turned out to be the winning purpose with a weak clinic in the first half.
Even at the age of 21, Elliott was one of the more experienced players in a youthful team and he led by example in midfield.
The English made the maximum passes in the definitive third (21) of the game, since he put a player of the adjustment performance.
“It’s exceptional,” said Sky Sports. “Not only the goal, but also its general ethics with and without a ball. A perfect game. “
Now, Elliott will hope his functionality can earn him a starting position in the Premier League for more normal in the space.
Southampton’s interim head coach Simon Rusk:
“Our precedent before the game was hard to beat, given the nature of Sunday’s game. So I think we probably hoped one way or another that we wouldn’t have the imprint on the match that we were looking for. “The first part, the priority of going to half-time and making sure we were in the game, as a fundamental principle, and then moving on to it.
“The nature of the first goal is a little bit unfortunate, really, but I thought, in the second half, the guys stood up to it, didn’t wilt and grew into the game. Maybe on another day we’d go and nick the second.
“There is not much time to face the stage and we cannot paint in many things. We cannot overload them with data when you are going to adapt and replace all the way.
“They showed self-confidence, they showed character, they gave up, they were the enthusiasts and I think hopefully the moment will be enough as a catalyst for the guys.
“Look, so far I have only noticed [the lack of quansah] from an angle. I think you can understand it, you cannot understand that. I probably want to see some more angles before being a bit more conclusive about my opinion.
Arne Slot, manager of Liverpool, Sky Sports:
“We have to protect the trophy because the Club won it last season. I didn’t participate, but the players did. And Jürgen [Klopp], of course, with his staff.
“We want to compete in every league, and this is one of them. So we’re happy that we reached the semi-final. Although we’re also aware of Newcastle, Arsenal, and either Tottenham or Manchester United.
“It’s a difficult competition, but this time it’s safe. “
How was it in the stands? “You have a very good view. It’s not the first time that I sit there. Sometimes I go to the stadium just to enjoy a game, so you always have a better view than when you are down.
“But sometimes it’s difficult where you want to influence your players, but I have such a good staff that even when I wasn’t around, they were able to bring this game over the line.”