Liverpool 2-1 Southampton: Positives but also setbacks for Arne Slot as Premier League champions overcome defiant Southampton
Liverpool booked their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a 2-1 win over a defiant Southampton at Anfield on Tuesday night.
Slot made nine changes to his line-up as he promised, handing minutes to academy prospect Rio Ngumoha and summer signing Giovanni Leoni, while new goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili featured in place of Alisson in goal. Federico Chiesa also made his first start of the season.
Alexander Isak started and scored his first goal for the club just before half time, taking Liverpool into the break with a lead that very much flattered their performance. Isak did not emerge from the tunnel in the second half, with Hugo Ekitike replacing him as he continues to build match fitness.
Southampton brought the game to Liverpool all night, Adam Armstrong and Leo Scienza missing golden chances to take the lead in the first half. After falling behind just before the break, the Championship side pressed heavily for an equaliser throughout the second period.
Their pressure eventually told 15 minutes from time, when Joshua Quarshie and substitute Shea Charles combined to punish a poor attempt at a headed clearance from Wataru Endo and level from close range.
Liverpool had thrown away another lead but they soon had yet another late winner, the sixth in seven games so far this season. Ekitike restored their lead with only four minutes left in normal time, after Federico Chiesa had run through on goal and squared for the youngster to finish into an empty net.
The French forward then turned from match-winner to liability within the space of a few minutes, receiving a second yellow card for removing his shirt in celebration, after having been booked for dissent earlier on.
His dismissal means Slot will have to make do with a half-fit Isak as his only centre-forward option for Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Teenage defender Leoni was also forced off late on with what appeared to be a serious injury, in what was his first appearance for the Reds.
