Liverpool reached the last four of the Carabao Cup after beating Southampton 2-1 on Wednesday night.
Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott found the net for a much-changed Reds side in the first half, without both Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.
Cameron Thatcher has pulled Southampton back as interim manager. Simon Rusk after sacking Russell Martin; After a break, he tried to make a nervous comeback.
But Arne Slot's side have improved as they look to retain their Carabao Cup crown.
through @Carabao_Cup Semi-finals. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/nzszAMwu7Z
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 18 2024
Slot watched from the stands at St Mary's as he picked up his third yellow card of the campaign in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Fulham.
The Liverpool manager was very pleased with the early viewing and Liverpool were quick to assert their dominance.
Youngsters Tyler Morton and 17-year-old Trey Nyoni saw plenty of the ball in his first senior start, but there was little in the way of the league leaders' penetration.
for Southampton; Another controversial issue with Martin this season has been his push to play out of the backfield.
The loud cheers that erupted throughout the stadium every time the Saints cleared their lines spoke volumes for how the fans felt about the matter.
So there was something of intense irony after Liverpool's opener from deep.
Trent Alexander-Arnold contributed his lofted pass when Jan Bednarek deflected it into Nunez's path.
The Liverpool number nine touched one before crossing Alex McCarthy. As there was no VAR until the semi-finals, no goal was scored and Nunez walked away with the victory.
In less than two years, Elliott grabbed his first of the season when he finished off Liverpool's cross down the left.
Harvey Elliott got his first goal of the season. 💫 pic.twitter.com/OksUKPUySa
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 18 2024
It was painful for Southampton, who were quick to concede after going behind.
Alexis Mac Allister managed to get a smart tackle from McCarthy to prevent a third goal, but Liverpool were in total control.
Southampton came out with a little spark in the second half and were rewarded for their efforts when Cameron Thatcher halved the deficit with a brilliant finish on the hour mark.
Cameron Archer What a goal. 😍 pic.twitter.com/Z3gq5r9NUT
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 18 2024
The hosts of heaven were suddenly given life. Caoimhin Kelleher's reactions were sorely tested as Archer went close again moments later.
A proper string of cups is seen on the cards. More lively as Southampton raise their tails.
They passed up a couple of half chances without really testing Kelleher.
Perhaps Jarell Quansah didn't see the red when he brought down Mateus Fernandes late on. In the end, Liverpool improved, but had to sweat for a victory that looked inevitable at first glance.
Southampton received a standing ovation from the crowd at the start of the second half. Perhaps signs that there is still some fight left on this side.