Liverpool secured their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals for the third time in four seasons with a 2-1 win over Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium.
First-half goals from Darwin Núñez and Harvey Elliott put the Reds in control, despite a sensational solo strike from Cameron Archer pulling one back for Southampton. Liverpool will now face either Arsenal, Newcastle, or the winner of Thursday’s clash between Tottenham and Manchester United in the last four.
Southampton, under interim manager Simon Rusk after Russell Martin’s dismissal following a heavy 5-0 loss to Tottenham, started brightly. However, their momentum was disrupted in the 25th minute when Núñez pounced on a slip from goalkeeper Alex McCarthy to score. Trent Alexander-Arnold was instrumental in the goal, evading pressure and playing a deflected through ball to the Uruguayan striker.
Liverpool doubled their advantage just eight minutes later. Harvey Elliott, marking his first start of the season, fired a low shot into the bottom corner after a deflection, following a clever assist from Cody Gakpo.
Arne Slot, serving a one-match touchline ban, made two changes at halftime, introducing Konstantinos Tsimikas and Federico Chiesa in place of Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez. Southampton responded with a lifeline in the 57th minute. Archer gathered the ball in his own half, stormed forward unchallenged, and unleashed a stunning strike past Caoimhin Kelleher, reigniting hope for the home side.
Despite a surge in confidence from Southampton, Liverpool held firm. A vital clearance from Taylor Harwood-Bellis denied Chiesa a certain goal, and referee Simon Hooper waved away late penalty appeals when Jarell Quansah tangled with Mateus Fernandes in stoppage time.
Liverpool now join Arsenal and Newcastle in the semi-finals, with the final spot up for grabs between Tottenham and Manchester United on Thursday night.
