Liverpool as soon as once more discovered a solution to win late, however their Carabao Cup progress got here with acquainted flaws and contemporary frustrations.
Arne Slot’s aspect edged previous Southampton 2-1 at Anfield to succeed in the fourth spherical, but the consequence solely advised a part of the story.
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Alexander Isak marked his first aim for the membership, Hugo Ekitike scored the decisive strike within the eighty fifth minute, and each forwards left totally different imprints on the competition.
Isak was withdrawn at half-time after getting his long-awaited breakthrough. Ekitike, in the meantime, scored the winner however was despatched off seconds later for eradicating his shirt, compounding an earlier reserving for dissent.
It means Liverpool advance, however the France striker will miss Saturday’s Premier League conflict with Crystal Palace.
Southampton, led by Will Nonetheless, will rue missed probabilities. Adam Armstrong hit the crossbar within the first half earlier than Leo Scienza by some means headed broad from shut vary with the aim gaping.
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These wasted alternatives have been punished when Federico Chiesa pressed goalkeeper Alex McCarthy right into a mistake on 43 minutes. The Italian squared for Isak to brush house his first Liverpool aim since arriving in a £125m transfer from Newcastle United.
The aim ought to have calmed the hosts, however the guests stayed daring. Liverpool’s reshuffled midfield seemed disjointed and possession was squandered too cheaply.
Southampton obtained their reward halfway via the second half when Wataru Endo misjudged a defensive header from a nook. The ball fell kindly for substitute Shea Charles, who poked house his first aim for the membership.
Anfield grew stressed and the tie gave the impression to be drifting in direction of penalties. However Liverpool discovered a late surge, as they so typically have this season.
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Andy Robertson clipped a exact cross into Chiesa’s run behind the Saints’ defence. The ahead managed fantastically earlier than squaring for Ekitike to complete into an empty internet.
The aid inside Anfield was fast. The frustration adopted simply as shortly when Ekitike, already on a reserving, celebrated by taking his shirt off. The referee had little selection however to indicate a second yellow.
Liverpool additionally suffered a setback with debutant Giovanni Leoni stretchered off with a suspected knee harm.
For Slot, it was one other night time of drama when management seemed inside attain. His workforce keep alive within the League Cup, however the method of victory leaves as many questions because it does solutions.