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By Harry Bamforth
What about Liverpool and the League Cup?
Their love affair continued with it once again tonight as they qualified for the semi-finals down on the south coast.
Darwin Núñez and Harvey Elliott scored in the first half and Liverpool were heading to the next round.
But then Southampton that they had a bit of a fight.
Cameron Archer made it interesting with half and hour to go but a much-changed Liverpool side managed to hold on.
They are now only 3 games away from lifting the trophy for the second year in a row, but let’s move forward.
Anyway, it’s time for me to conclude this blog, I hope everyone had a good time.
I will see them all very soon.
By Lewis Steele at St Mary’s Stadium
By Harry Bamforth
Tyler Morton, Liverpool midfielder, on Sky Sports:
By Harry Bamforth
So, now we know one of the teams who are through to the semi-finals, but don’t you want to find out two more?
Of course, you do.
Here are the results from all of tonight’s quarter-finals:
By Harry Bamforth
While I have criticised Liverpool a fair amount tonight, they still got the job done.
Whoever players are in the field, no one turns out to be overcome at this time.
That’s now 20 wins in 24 games in all competitions for Arne Slot since he joined the club.
Do you know how ridiculous that is?
And now they are at Tottenham on Sunday after resting many of their key players.
They to do the job.
By Harry Bamforth
Liverpool striker Harvey Elliott speaking to Sky Sports:
I’m sure, Harveyarray . .
By Harry Bamforth
What is really annoying is that there is not a video of the penalty incident that I can show.
There are not even pictures yet.
However, I still need to communicate it because I think Jarell Quansah is a lucky boy at the end.
He should have been sent off for his late challenge on Mateus Fernandes, the Southampton forward got the wrong side of him.
How the could was not given, I’ll never know.
However, I’m not sure if it was a penalty as the touch occurred just outside the area.
It would have been if we had VAR available.
By Lewis Steele At St Mary’s Stadium
By Harry Bamforth
Normally, I would talk about the winners first, but that’s not tonight.
Southampton deserve huge credit for their functionality so far tonight.
After what happened opposite Tottenham on Sunday, and the first part tonight, you can forgive them for feeling sorry for themselves.
But they came out here later in the moment part and pulled out a real blow and took Liverpool all in the end.
Personally, they reserved more because Liverpool was quite bad.
There are certainly plenty of positives for the players and fans to take out of tonight.
Can they use it as a springboard?
By Harry Bamforth
Liverpool is in . . .
The Carabao holders are at the semifinals, but my word, were made to paint for it.
Southampton players are pierced through the box after a very good screen at the time in the middle.
They showed genuine combat and may feel aggrieved, they didn’t get an overdue penalty.
But once again, they end the night on the losing side.
By Harry Bamforth
The ironic cheers are (I love them).
This time, they’re for Harvey Elliott as he sends the ball toward the roof of the stadium while aiming for goal.
It is not your opportunity.
By Harry Bamforth
ohhhhhhh. . .
Jarell Quansah will feel relieved that there is no VAR tonight because he was only given with one.
Southampton go route one and Mateus Fernandes looks to have got away from Quansah and through on goal.
But the central defender took him to the ground and not given nothing.
I can’t, he deserves to have gone.
By Harry Bamforth
Oh, hello…
Southampton enthusiasts applaud because they see that there will be six minutes of warning time.
Can they locate a backward equalizer?
By Harry Bamforth
Federico Chiesa does not have the purpose tonight.
Once again, Taylor Harwood-Bellis beat him with a block, this time on the line and his shot went in.
He then gets the ball back and has a second bite at the cheery but sees his effort blocked once more.
Chiesa’s wait for his goal at Liverpool continues.
By Harry Bamforth
Liverpool really are clinging on…
Paul Onuachu wreaks havoc as he delays the game and throws a menacing counter.
The move ends with a cross to Ben Brereton-Diaz at the back post and he is in acres of space.
he gets his head to the ball but the effort is straight at Caomihin Kelleher.
He was also offside. . .
By Lewis Steele At St Mary’s Stadium
By Harry Bamforth
Darwin Núñez, what are you doing?
The striker blasts a ball miles behind him looking for Tyler Morton and it goes out of play.
I have no concept of what is happening in your head, it is a strange pass choice.
By Harry Bamforth
A toss of the cube for Southampton.
Ben Brereton-Díaz and the former Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana have been replaced.
They are really going for that equaliser now.
Meanwhile, Jayden Danns is recruited for Liverpool and this marks the end of all Trey Nyoni’s beginnings.
By Harry Bamforth
Oh. . .
Southampton are ramping up the pressure and Paul Onuachu just can’t fire in an equaliser.
The ball comes his way and he takes a huge swing at the ball, but he completely misses it.
I mean, he simply wants to do better there.
Was it the moment?
By Harry Bamforth
Oh, Darwin Nunez…
The Liverpool striker still likes to provide entertainment and has just attempted an aerial shot.
He completely misses the ball though, and hits the deck while ironic cheers come from the home crowd.
By Harry Bamforth
Liverpool have done diddly squat in this second half.
The Reds have controlled only one shot from part time, to the three of Southampton.
Pretty poor, right?
By Harry Bamforth
The advent of Paul Onuachu has excited those Southampton fans.
He took a loose shot and the Saints fans went crazy before he missed his shot and signaled offside.
Fair play for the boy, however, he controlled to make things work.
By Harry Bamforth
Simon Rusk returns to the bench again.
Turns out he’s looking for it, as Paul Onuachu and Kamaldeen Sulemana have turned up.
Striker Cameron Archer contributes the same as Flynn Downes.
Remember, onuachu so many disorders for Liverpool in the Premier League match.
By Harry Bamforth
Liverpool have not found any rhythm in this second half, it’s been quite bizarre really.
I only have the feeling that Southampton can draw here, they are building.
By Harry Bamforth
Taylor Harwood-Bellis in La Récusse.
Liverpool, despite everything, obtains his act in combination onwards and Diogo Jota slides through Federico Chiesa.
Chiesa’s arrows make a low effort towards the bottom corner, Harwood-Bellis manages to get rid of it.
It actually looked like it was going wide anyway…
By Harry Bamforth
It really is mental how much one moment can change the momentum of a whole match.
Southampton watched each other, as did their supporters.
Liverpool will calm things down while they were struggling against Cameron Archer’s Strike.
They look like they are trying to take the sting out of the game.
By Harry Bamforth
Arne Slot makes the decision to replace things.
Diogo Jota is in action after his purpose at the weekend and replaces Cody Gakpo.
James McConnell also enter the fray with Alexis Mac Allister making way.
By Harry Bamforth
Oh my word, that is a stunning save from Caoimhin Kelleher!
Southampton came to life and came to level the score almost immediately.
Cameron Asrcherb discovered himself at the end of a cross and seemed in a position to obtain his double but Kelleher reacted brilliantly to reject him.
Goals really do change games.
By Harry Bamforth
James Bree does eventually have to make way after pulling up earlier in the half.
He is replaced via Yakinori Sugawara, as the Sainst has some momentum.
By Harry Bamforth
Out of nowhere!
Suddenly, we have a tie in our hands as Cameron Archer folds a charming end into the maximum remote corner.
The hosts have a blow of when a free space is triggered in Wataru Endo’s face to send to Archer.
He cuts in off the left and then bends the ball past Caoimhin Kelleher.
Game!
By Harry Bamforth
Handbags, we have handbags!
Flynn Downes makes the decision to liven things up a bit while fighting Harvey Elliott.
I mean, literally keep Elliott and do not let him register for an attack, so it is simple to see why the type of Liverpool gets angry.
In the end, they both get booked. A bit harsh on Elliot that.
By Harry Bamforth
The beginning of this era is very early at the moment.
Basically, this means that nothing happened and Liverpool is easily ignoring it.
It’s a boring watch, I have to say.
By Harry Bamforth
Oh, now it is surprising.
James Bree has returned and will continue. It seemed that his groin had completely disappeared.
I’m hoping that it was just a niggle and that he is not just being silly and playing through pain.
If so, things will get worse.
By Harry Bamforth
Oh dear. . .
James Bree has just gone down holding his groin after chasing down Cody Gakpo.
It’s like he’s succeeded, which is a blow for Southampton.
Yukinari Sugawara is now getting ready… and we know what happened when he last played Liverpool.
By Harry Bamforth
The first symptoms seem to recommend that Tyler Morton be Liverpool’s right-back.
That is certainly new territory for him, although he will get to move inside when Liverpool are attacking.
And I mean, they will be doing that a lot.
By Harry Bamforth
We have our answer!
Federico Chiesa and Kosta Tsimikas return to action after the break.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez are the duo that gives way after a first 45.
Anyway, we hit the one again.
By Harry Bamforth
Are we in a position to see two adjustments in Arne Slot’s break?
Federico Chiesa and Kostas Tsimikas were clearly warming up the break.
This turns out to be the best matchup for them to recover from an injury.
By Harry Bamforth
Liverpool simply can’t avoid scoring this season.
They have managed to find the back of the net in all but one of their matches this season.
Can you guess which one?
Yes, it’s the remarkable defeat at the home of Nottingham Forest in September.
It’s a long time in the afterlife and they only appear on the net at will on those days.
By Harry Bamforth
Izzy Christiansen, Manchester City eccentrocampist in Sky Sports:
By Harry Bamforth
It really has been all too easy for Liverpool down on the south coast.
Just look at this goal, and everything is said.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a lovely move, and then finish from Harvey Elliot, but Southampton didn’t really put up a fight.
The story of his season, really.
By Harry Bamforth
I wasn’t proved wrong…
A couple of sub-par set-pieces and then the referee blows his whistle to signal the break.
It was cleaner to the Southampton, whose mistakes and lack of trust made them a walk through the park for Liverpool.
The movements shape Darwin Núñez and Harvey Elliott have the red reds and it is difficult to see the saints return from here.
But football likes to have surprises in store. . .
By Harry Bamforth
There will be a minute of detention time at St Mary’s.
I doubt very much that anything will go there, but I am willing to be wrong.
By Harry Bamforth
Wataru Endo has just rinsed through Mateus Fernandes.
The Japanese international needs a ticket to get back into the stadium after he slips when Fernandes cuts back in the area.
Fortunately for him, nothing happens.
By Harry Bamforth
As soon as the first goal went in, you could just see all the Southampton’s players’ confidence drained.
It seems that Liverpool can be offering some more here if they need it, and they don’t even know it.
By Harry Bamforth
This could get messy… really messy.
Liverpool have discovered and, in fact, discovered their rhythm and now Alexis Mac Allister is definitive in a third.
He reaches the end of a great low cross for the first time and throws the ball into the back corner.
He ends up in a back-of-the-net position, but Alex McCarthy manages very well to pass and keep the Argentine away.
A third turns out to happen.
By Lewis Steele At St Mary’s Stadium
By Aadam Patel At St Mary’s Stadium
By Harry Bamforth
What purpose is that!
Harvey Elliott bags his first goal of the season and it’s football at its very best.
Cody Gakpo combines with the midfielder yet again, sliding him through after a lovely move, and Elliott finishes off in style.
That’s two shots on target and two goals for the Reds.
By Harry Bamforth
Southampton simply can’t get hold of the ball.
Liverpool struck with ease and then slid a ball to create a chance.
This time, Cody Gakpo is slipped, then discovers Harvey Elliot, who digs but his effort is blocked.
It’s like watching a session.
By Harry Bamforth
The Liverpool fans seem to be loving life now.
In fact, they sing in the rain, surfing their vast catalog of songs.
They are obviously feeling festive as they also break out ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’.
By Harry Bamforth
That is exactly what Darwin Nunez needed.
He has not exactly been clinical this season and plenty of people have let him know about it, including me.
But this time his header and kick of the ball worked.
Maybe you can see the excitement in their celebration.
By Harry Bamforth
Darwin Núñez is in goals!
Southampton’s mistakes are back and Nunez capitalizes to give the merit to Liverpool.
Trent Alexander-Arnold does brilliantly to drive into space before sending a poor pass in search of Nunez.
But he gets a slice when Jan Bednarek deflects the ball into the striker’s path and exploits Alex McCarthy.
The Southampton enthusiasts then Núñez and cut off their ears before telling them to sing louder.
He loves it.
By Lewis Steele at Stade St Mary
By Harry Bamforth
Is this game finally opening up?
It is because Southampton now produces a threatening counterattack.
It ends with Tyler Dibling when the multitude of St Mary stands, however, the young man can locate the gloves of Caoimhin Kelleher.
A promising opportunity.
By Harry Bamforth
This is a wonderful interpretation of Jan Bednarek.
Liverpool finally manage to find some space and Cody Gakpo gets his gallop on.
He heads towards it before sliding over Darwin Nunez, but Bednarek slides in to deny the attacker.
A TACKLE.
By Harry Bamforth
We have a chance. . . and it sucks.
Darwin Núñez has a crack from the edge of the surface and takes it out of the stadium.
The home fans then chant a rather mean song toward the forward, which I can’t repeat on here.
It has to do with the former Liverpool striker, Andy Carroll.
By Harry Bamforth
Liverpool’s ultimate product was the pants.
This is this time the crossing of the reds from Cody Gakpo.
We are even still lucky.
By Harry Bamforth
I bet Arne Slot is ahead of being in the stands and not on the sidelines.
It is still raining a lot and is affecting what is happening.
Alexis Mac Allister saw a corner be trapped by the wind and pass over all.
Well, either that or it was a terrible set-piece.
By Harry Bamforth
Not much is happening right now, I’m sorry to say.
James Bree has just been caught offside and the flag is going up immediately because there is no var tonight.
We’ll go back to the old days. . .
By Harry Bamforth
Southampton sabotage the ball!!
It’s only been a few games but it seems they will not be faffing about at the back under Simon Rusk.
The authorization gives encouragement to the crowd of Santa María.
By Harry Bamforth
Liverpool has a lot of the ball so far, but they are a bit careless.
There have already been a handful of capricious passes and we play 4 minutes.
Meanwhile, Southampton are just looking to stay compact and deep.
By Harry Bamforth
Southampton survived the first minute so that’s a positive I guess.
You may think I am messing about, but by this time on Sunday, they were already behind against Tottenham.
Baby steps and all that. . .
By Harry Bamforth
Simon Rusk turns out to laugh in the shelter as he jumps over “Holy Go Marching In”.
I mean, it’s a bit bop.
The teams then get into their huddles as the rain continues to come down before we get underway.
Hopefully it is a cookie!
By Lewis Steele At St Mary’s Stadium
By Harry Bamforth
It’s noisy on the south coast.
I’m not talking about the raging rain, however, around St Mary’s, as the two groups exit the tunnel.
The stadium is full, but it hasn’t stopped, which makes a lot of noise here.
The fans coming out of the doors are loud, but the techno music just tried to drown them out.
I love that type of music, so I am not complaining.
By Harry Bamforth
Do we have a shock on the cards?
Trophy-seeking Arsenal were already affected tonight, while Crystal Palace advanced early.
Jean-Phillipe Mateta opened the scoring for the visitors just three minutes in, stunning the Emirates.
Can they be turned on?
I mean, it is still a long way to pass to northern London.
By Harry Bamforth
Arne Slot, Liverpool coach, speaking with Sky Sports:
By Aadam Patel At St Mary’s Stadium
By Harry Bamforth
It’s time to get excited guys…
The game is 15 minutes from the beginning and, for my part, I am excited.
It seems that players are too when they have just finished their warm-up, or are in a bad mood.
Fans expect it to be the former.
By Harry Bamforth
These are the nights when I feel satisfied to be sitting inside and not in the stadium.
The weather is horrible on the south coast. . .
If you are heading to St Mary’s, I hope you have brought a brolly and lots of layers.
Otherwise, feel soaked.
By Harry Bamforth
Well, I told everyone before that there’s a lot of action, and we haven’t forgotten that.
My brilliant colleague Lewis Browning is in the hot seat to the quarter-finals of Arsenal opposite the Crystal Palace in the Emirates.
And Newcastle fans, you have not been left out…
For updates on Newcastle’s compatibility with Brentford, please also visit the blog below.
Both games have just got underway.
By Harry Bamforth
Chris Sutton, It’s All Kicking Off! co-host, on BBC Sport:
By Harry Bamforth
To say Cody Gakpo appreciates the Carabao Cup is an understatement.
I wasn’t really expecting him to start this evening, but I bet he was begging Arene Slot to let him play.
Why, you ask?
Well, pretty much every time the Dutchman plays in the competition, he scores.
Since the beginning of last season, Gakpo has 3 more goals in the League Cup than any other player.
He has already netted four goals in two Carabao Cup games this season.
Can you upload this tonight?
By Harry Bamforth
By Harry Bamforth
Tonight is what Trey Nyoni has been dreaming of for a long time.
To be handed a full debut at just 17 years of age just shows how talented of a player he is.
I saw the flashes of young people, basically in preseason, and I must say that I was impressed.
Now he has the chance to show everybody what he is all about.
By Harry Bamforth
I know things are bad right now if you are a Southampton fan, but I have a positive omen to make you feel better.
As for the quarterfinals of the League Cup, the Saints have a rather intelligent record.
Southampton have progressed from each of their last two games at this stage,
Both were 2-0 wins. The first over Arsenal in 2016-17 and then Manchester City in 2022-23.
The City game will certainly live long in the memory of Saints fans in what was a horrendous campaign.
It was pretty much the only highlight of Nathan Jones’ reign.
By Harry Bamforth
Right, it’s time we hit the Rewind button. . .
We don’t have to go back far to see the last time Southampton and Liverpool met at St Mary’s.
In fact, they played less than a month ago.
It was a wonderful match in which Liverpool were forced to fight for the 3 points.
The Saints produced arguably their most productive functionality of the season so far, coming from leading the Reds early in the moment at the middle.
But then they have become sufferers of a safe player named Mo Salah.
The Egyptian king carried out one of his rescue missions on the south coast, scoring a brace that included a due penalty from Liverpool’s due victory.
If we deal with even one ounce of the drama we had that day, then we’re in for a ride.
Let’s hope they can produce another cracker.
By Lewis Steele at St Mary’s Stadium
By Harry Bamforth
Well, it’s more powerful than I expected. . .
Arne Slot had made 8 changes, however, to pass quite strongly given the club’s injury upheaval.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez and Cody Gakpo are the survivors of the tie in Fulham.
In fact, Trey Nyoni has a complete start, while Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton get a second round.
Can this do the job?
By Harry Bamforth
Simon Rusk is contained.
The interim boss has gone for a rather strong line-up, making only three changes from the humbling at the hands of Tottenham.
Nathan Wood, James Bree and Cameron Archer are the trio that comes into play.
It turns out that Rusk will go back to 3 on defense.
By Lewis Steele at Stade St Mary
By Harry Bamforth
Are you some initial news of the team?
I mean, of course I do. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered here.
It is believed that 17-year-old Trey Nyoni will make his first-ever Liverpool start this evening.
The young man broke into the scene this opposition tonight when he made his debut in the previous FA Cup in the year.
He will have to wish that Liverpool can play Southampton each and each week, then he will be involved.
If it really starts, it will be a massive night for the Wonderkid.
By Harry Bamforth
Southampton did not have the luxury of starting his way to the third round like Liverpool.
This means that this message will be longer than the previous one: it will have to be done.
Southampton began their cup quest in August, which seems like a long time ago, with a holiday in Cardiff.
What on paper was not the most enthralling of fixtures ended up being one of the best so far, with Sainst edging an eight-goal thriller that included two-stoppage time strikes and some bangers.
In the next round, his adjustment was not as exciting.
They played out a 1-1 draw with Everton at Goodison Park before doing their homework on penalties.
Then, after a string of defeats in the Premier League, they were tasked with Stoke, a champion team, and desperately looking for a win.
What they got was a victory, overcoming a draw once to reserve its position in the quarterfinals.
Hopefully, they continue their knack of being involved in belting matches again tonight.
My hands and feet are crossed.
By Harry Bamforth
Ah Hello . . .
Personally, I didn’t expect Trent Alexander-Arnold to be worried in any way tonight.
I assumed he would be wrapped in cotton wool.
It appears not, the Liverpool vice-captain has just arrived at St Mary’s for tonight’s clash.
I wonder if it’s just getting started. . .
By Harry Bamforth
Liverpool and the League Cup are just a match made in heaven.
The Reds love this festival and once back they have every chance to go there.
After winning the trophy for a record-extending 10th time last season, Arne Slot’s side started this campaign’s cup run with a repeat of last year’s quarter-final against West Ham at Anfield.
And just like they did in 2023, the Reds hammered the Londoners.
Then I arrived here to the southern coast to face Brighton, which is no simple task.
However, Liverpool couldn’t get out of the way of the Seagulls, winning 3-2 before beating them in the league a few days later.
We are now on the south coast.
Will they continue their intelligent form in the competition?
By Harry Bamforth
What did I say?
Teen sensation Rio Ngumoha, who is only 16, has been at St Mary’s.
Also, there appears to be no Mohamed Salah or Virgil van Dijk in Southampton.
The question is, how will Ngumoha be worried tonight?
By Harry Bamforth
Don’t expect to see a full Liverpool squad tonight, that’s for sure.
With a series of games ahead for the Arne Slot team, starting with Tottenham on Sunday, most likely he makes the changes.
I mean, he even admitted it himself yesterday.
Youngsters should be in the fold and players such as Federico Chiesa who has struggled for minutes due to injury this year.
The changes could present a really good chance for Southampton to get through, but whatever side Slot starts will still be packed with quality.
I’m going to see who the Dutch are accompanying with.
By Harry Bamforth
Southampton interim boss Simon Rusk, speaking on Tuesday:
By Harry Bamforth
Where do you start with Southampton, eh?
The club hasn’t had at least one good season and hit a new low on Sunday night.
After conceding five first-half goals in a dreadful defeat at home to Tottenham, Russell Martin was sent packing.
It leaves the Saints in no man’s land as the problems continue to stack up, but they just have to get on with it. That’s football.
Under-21s boss Simon Rusk will take over as interim manager tonight as his search for Martin’s successor continues.
It’s fair to say, interim bosses have had easier starts…
To face league leaders and current Carabao Cup holders Liverpool in your first game is about as tough a fixture as you can get.
However, in some respects it can be perfect.
There is surely no tension on Rusk and his players to beat the Reds tonight, which if they do, will be simply sensational.
If we will see this new manager completely bounce back tonightArray. .
By Harry Bamforth
Oh, I’m blooming the cup.
A lot of people believe that the League Cup has lost its sparkle in the last few years, but I simply believe that to be untrue.
Just take Liverpool winning it last year, for example.
Watch the scenes following full-time after they beat Chelsea in February and try telling me it’s a ‘Mickey Mouse Cup’.
There are eight teams left who are vying for the semi-finals, with three matches taking place tonight, and a big one tomorrow.
While we are just covering the action on the south coast here, let’s have a look at the schedule anyway:
By Harry Bamforth
Who is in a position for the cup?
We arrive at this era of the Cup Cup in which Wembley becomes an authentic for the 8 teams.
However, there are still some obstacles to save.
Liverpool, champion, will jump over his night when he faces Southampton without a coach at St Mary’s.
The couple played a mystery in November, but it’s just saying that a lot has changed since that day.
With a semifinal spot on the line, this will be a cracking encounter.
Let’s get this show on the road.
Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd
Part of the Daily Mail, Mail On Sunday and Metro Media Group