Liverpool secured its place in the League Cup semifinals with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Southampton on a rainy night at St Mary’s Stadium on Wednesday. Goals from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott proved decisive, as the Reds overcame spirited resistance from the struggling Saints.
Nunez, who endured taunts from Southampton fans following an early miss, silenced his critics in the 24th minute. The Uruguayan capitalized on a defensive mishap by Jan Bednarek and a slip by goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, calmly finishing past McCarthy before celebrating with a finger-to-lips gesture directed at the crowd.
Just eight minutes later, Harvey Elliott doubled Liverpool’s advantage with a clinical finish. The 20-year-old midfielder received a precise pass from Cody Gakpo and fired a low, powerful shot into the bottom corner, leaving McCarthy with no chance.
Southampton fought back in the second half, with Cameron Archer providing hope in the 59th minute. Archer curled a beautiful shot from the edge of the box past Caoimhin Kelleher to make it 2-1. Despite increased pressure from the Saints, Liverpool’s defense held firm, ensuring their progression to the next round.
Speaking after the match, Elliott highlighted the team’s determination. “We came into this game knowing the circumstances that Southampton were going through and knew they were going to come out fighting, and we were ready for it,” he told Sky Sports.
The game showed the contrasting fortunes of the two clubs. Liverpool sits atop the Premier League table, brimming with confidence under manager Arne Slot, while Southampton languishes at the bottom after a disastrous season. The Saints’ woes deepened following the recent sacking of manager Russell Martin after a 5-0 drubbing by Tottenham Hotspur.
Despite watching from the press box due to a touchline ban, Slot expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance. “We have to defend the trophy because the club won it last season, so we want to compete in every league, and this is one of them. We’re happy that we reached the semifinal,” he said.
Liverpool now looks ahead to the League Cup semifinals, as they aim to retain the trophy and add another chapter to their illustrious history. For Southampton, the focus shifts back to their uphill battle for Premier League survival.
