Southampton 1-2 Liverpool: Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott seal ...

Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott were on the scoresheet as Liverpool edged into the EFL Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 victory at manager-less Southampton.

Arne Slot, who served a one-match touchline ban, named a makeshift starting XI for this clash at St Mary’s, but it made little difference in the end as the Merseysiders continued their push on all fronts.

Nunez opened the scoring on 24 minutes when he raced on to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s long pass and fired in just his fourth goal of the season.

Elliott then doubled the lead heading into the interval when he marked his first start of an injury-hit season with his maiden goal to polish off fine work by Cody Gakpo.

Southampton, who were being led by caretaker Simon Rusk following the dismissal of Russell Martin at the weekend, looked lost but suddenly ignited in belief when Cameron Archer cut in from the left and curled a fine shot into the far corner to reduce the arrears on 59 minutes.

There were chances at both ends in a keenly-fought finale, but The Saints could not find the equaliser to deny the holders progress to the last four.

Next up, struggling Southampton visit Fulham on Sunday, while Premier League leaders Liverpool travel to Tottenham Hotspur.

It sees Slot’s men reach a record 20th League Cup semi-final, with the holders firmly in contention to retain the final trophy won during the Jurgen Klopp era.

It could yet become the maiden piece of silverware of Slot’s tenure, although The Reds are likely to face tougher tests of their credentials than they did against a Saints side bereft of confidence and belief.

There was some late fight from the home side, but in truth, it looks rather bleak for Southampton with a tall order awaiting whoever takes the helm in the days or weeks ahead.

Liverpool, meanwhile, march on across all competitions with fringe players gaining some important minutes while the regular starters were given a well-earned rest.

The playmaker marked a first start with what proved to be the winning goal in a typically all-action display on the right and then as part of the midfield three in the second half.

Southampton: McCarthy 7, Bree 6, Harwood-Bellis 7, Bednarek 7, Wood 6, Manning 6, Downes 6, Fernandes 7, Aribo 6, Dibling 6, Archer 7. Subs: Sugawara 6, Sulemana 6, Onuachu 7, Brereton n/a, Lallana n/a.

Liverpool: Kelleher 8, Alexander-Arnold 8, Gomez 7, Quansah 7, Endo 8, Morton 7, Nyoni 6, Mac Allister 6, Elliott 8*, Gakpo 7, Nunez 6. Subs: Chiesa 5, Tsimikas 6, Jota 6, McConnell 6, Danns n/a.

24’ - GOAL! – Southampton 0-1 Liverpool: (Nunez). The visitors take the lead as Nunez charges clean through from TAA's sumptuous long pass and fires a simple finish beyond McCarthy.

32’ - GOAL! – Southampton 0-2 Liverpool: (Elliott). It's two! Elliott caps his first start of the campaign with his first goal as he coolly fires a low shot into the far corner after lovely work from Gakpo.

59’ - GOAL! – Southampton 1-2 Liverpool: (Archer). A very fortunate ricochet off Endo allows Archer to cut in from the left and curl a fine finish into the far corner.

62’ – SOUTHAMPTON CHANCES! Kelleher produces a stunning save to keep out Archer's close-range flick. The Saints come again and Quansah makes a crucial, goal-saving block.

90+4’ – LATE SOUTHAMPTON APPEAL! Fernandes appears to be tumbled by Quansah as he raced through the middle on to a long kick from the keeper. The referee does not award a free kick just outside the area despite Southampton wanting a red card. Replays show Quansah’s arm was across his man and seemed to drag him down. There’s no VAR, however, so the referee’s decision stands.

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