Darwin Nunez led Liverpool to a decisive victory against Southampton, securing a spot in the Carabao Cup semi-finals for Arne Slot’s side.
Ending his six-game goal drought, Nunez scored alongside Harvey Elliott to give Liverpool a strong advantage in the first half. Although Cameron Archer’s second-half goal rekindled hope for Southampton, it wasn’t enough to prevent their exit from the competition.
Southampton, under interim manager Simon Rusk after Russell Martin’s sacking, began brightly but fell behind in the 24th minute. Trent Alexander-Arnold orchestrated the opening goal with a deflected through ball to Nunez, who capitalized on Alex McCarthy’s slip to slot the ball beyond the goalkeeper.
Eight minutes later, Harvey Elliott doubled Liverpool’s lead with a deflected strike into the bottom corner after Cody Gakpo set him up.
Arne Slot, serving a touchline ban, watched from the stands as Liverpool controlled the game. Substitutions at half-time saw Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez replaced by Konstantinos Tsimikas and Federico Chiesa. However, Liverpool’s more relaxed approach after the break allowed Archer to score a stunning solo goal, running nearly half the pitch before curling his shot past Caoimhin Kelleher.
Despite growing confidence from Southampton and defensive heroics from Taylor Harwood-Bellis, the hosts couldn’t find an equalizer. A contentious decision in injury time saw referee Simon Hooper wave away claims for a foul on Mateus Fernandes just outside the penalty box.
Liverpool now joins Arsenal and Newcastle in the semi-finals, with the final spot set to be decided between Tottenham and Manchester United in Thursday’s clash.
Liverpool Youngsters Shine in Victory
Liverpool’s mix of youth and experience showed their depth as they continued their cup defence.
Resting stars like Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool’s lineup featured young talents, including 17-year-old Trey Nyoni and James McConnell, 20. While they weren’t at their best, Liverpool still managed to secure a comfortable win without relying on their marquee players.
The victory highlighted the team’s depth, especially given their recent struggles in the Premier League. Darwin Nunez’s goal was a standout moment, silencing Southampton fans who had jeered him early in the match. After scoring just his fourth goal in 21 appearances this season, Nunez will look to build momentum during the busy festive period.
Southampton Show Signs of Hope Despite Loss
While Southampton’s relegation battle remains uphill, their second-half performance offered glimpses of potential.
With only one win in 16 Premier League games, Southampton sits at the bottom of the table, nine points adrift of safety. However, their spirited second-half display on Wednesday showed promise.
The Saints outperformed Liverpool in the latter stages, recording three shots on target compared to the visitors’ single effort. A lack of VAR denied them a potential last-minute penalty that could have sent the game to a shootout. Harwood-Bellis stood out with crucial defensive contributions, particularly two goal-saving clearances to deny Chiesa.
Whoever steps in as Southampton’s permanent manager faces a monumental task. Still, the team’s fightback against Liverpool hinted at the resilience needed for an unlikely survival campaign.
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