12/18/24 at St. Mary’s Stadium

On December 18, Liverpool football club made the trip down south to face up against a struggling Southampton side. This Quarter-Final matchup in the Carabao Cup isn’t of the utmost importance for the Reds, but for a Southampton side fighting to stay up in the premier league, a win against the team sitting a top of the table would mean the world. And prior to the game, many would have thought it was not out of the realm of possibility, as Liverpool were using a very young squad, and Arne Slot being banned from the touchline following his yellow card against Fulham at the previous weekend.

The game began with the usual suspects for Liverpool, being Nuñez, Gakpo, Mac Allister, and Alexander-Arnold. Harvey Elliot also made his first start of the season along with Trey Nyoni making his first every start for the club. Tyler Morton also made his second start of the season, following the previous cup tie against Brighton. And finally, Gomez, Quansah, and Endo rounded out the defense, with Kelleher making his way back between the posts as well.

The conditions were less than ideal, with dumping rainfall causing the ball to move a tad bit slower throughout the pitch. However, it didn’t seem too large an issue for Liverpool, as they controlled the ball for nearly 70% of the game. Chances were limited in the first half for Southampton, as Liverpool was constantly knocking on their door. This would remain up until the 23rd minute, when Darwin Nuñez slotted home a goal following a deflected through ball from Alexander-Arnold. The score was now one to nil.

This would not last long, as the reds continued knocking shortly after. This time, it was Harvey Elliot who finished the play off, following a nice piece of play from Cody Gakpo and Water Endo, with Gakpo ultimately claiming the assist in the 32nd minute.

Things continued well for the reds to end out the half, meaning Southampton was practically written off, given Liverpool’s dominance in the second half this season. However, the Saints still had some gas left in the tank. Liverpool made two substitutions at half, being Kostas Tsimikas for Gomez and Federicho Chiesa for Alexander-Arnold, making his first appearance since the reds first cup tie in the Carabao Cup against West Ham.

Southampton was a new team after the break, and did not shy away from attacking whatsoever. They seemed to be taking many more risks, which ended up resulting in a lovely finish into the top right corner from Cameron Archer in the 54th minute. It was two to one, and the game was now on, or so it seemed for the next 20 minutes. Although Southampton switched it on, the Reds regained momentum around the 75th minute and did not look back. Things were clicking again., and a third goal seemed on the horizon for Liverpool.

Unfortunately for the reds, that third goal never came, and as the final seconds were closing in the 90 minutes, the Saints were in on goal one last time. However, Jarell Quansah, who had a solid, but quiet game, committed what seemed to be a foul right on the edge of the box. This sent the Southampton side into a flurry when referee, Simon Hooper, quickly dismissed it. All hope seemed to be sucked out of the Saints after this, with the game slightly ticking in Liverpool’s favor, two to one.

The game turned out as one would expect. On paper, it did not seem like a matchup that would bring excitement to fans, but with a slightly inexperienced Liverpool side without their manager, they seemed to be holding on by their teeth for a spot in the Carabao Cup Semi-Final. And for the struggling Southampton side, a glimmer of hope that they can compete moving forward.