Southampton 1 - 2 Liverpool

Holders Liverpool reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup for the third time in four seasons with a 2-1 win over managerless Southampton.

Goals from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott did the job for Arne Slott's Reds, who move through to the last four, where they will face either Arsenal, Newcastle or the winners of Thursday night's match between Tottenham and Manchester United, who are alive on. Sky Sports.

The semi-final draw will take place at 10.30pm, following the end of that game in north London.

holy – who dismissed Russell Martin shortly after Sunday's humiliating 5-0 at the hands of Tottenham – led by interim head coach Simon Rusk, who used a very defensive approach at St Mary's; the 5-4-1 formation out of possession kept the Reds at bay for over 20 minutes.

Liverpool then found a way through with their first shot on target. Trent Alexander-Arnold sent a through ball, which hit the outstretched leg of Jan Bednarek and allowed Darwin Nunez to go through one-on-one and past Alex McCarthy.

Eight minutes later, it was 2-0 as Liverpool carved through the hosts' defense with ease, Cody Gakpo slipping Elliott in to slot home a simple finish.

Just before the hour, out of nowhere, Saints gave themselves a lifeline when Cameron Archer headed past Kevin Kelleher – and they almost equalized seconds later when Kelleher's reflex save kept out a flick Archer, before Jarell Quansah stopped the review from Mateus Fernandes.

That sparked a subdued home crowd, as did Paul Onuachu, who excelled up front with his towering presence. Rusk also attacked Adam Lallana, Ben Brereton Diaz and Kamaldeen Sulemana, no doubt hoping that an outside attack in the closing stages would lead to the goal that led to penalties.

He almost got a chance late on, Quansah tangling with Fernandes outside the area, with the Portuguese going down inside the box – but referee Simon Hooper waved off appeals for a red card immediately and, without VAR, the decision stood.

Should Quansah be suspended?

Sky Sports' Jobi McAnuff:

“It's a lie, absolutely. Free kick and red card. The minute Quansah lets that ball bounce he's in trouble.

“Quansah needs to get to the ballpark and just get something on him.” For me, it is a very bad decision.

Sky Sports' Izzy Christiansen:

“It's the wrong decision. It should have been suspended, but it wasn't a penalty.”

Rusk's promising second-half performance can boost the Saints

Southamptonis an interim leader Simon Rusk:

“Our priority going into the game was to be hard to beat, given the nature of the game on Sunday. So I think we expected that in some way, shape or form somehow we didn't have the foothold in the game that we wanted in the first half.

“The nature of the first goal is a bit unfortunate, really, but I thought, in the second half, the boys stuck to it, they didn't try and grow into the game Maybe on another day we'll go and get the second one.

“There wasn't a lot of time to turn this game around and you can only work on so much. You can't download too much information when there is going to be change and change anyway. I am encouraged by the second half. what we need to focus on now.

“They showed belief in themselves, they showed character, they stood up, the fans were behind them and I think, I hope, the second half is enough of a catalyst for the boys.

“Listen, I've only seen it (the fake Quansah) from one angle right now. I think you can get it, you can't get it, that one. I might have to see another step or two before I am a little more certain about my opinion.

“The first half, really good. A good performance, he played really well, 2-0 up. It wasn't a big surprise to concede the goal, because I think before that we were starting to ' got a little lazy. We lost one or two easy balls and then they came back in the game where we had a few chances to make it 3-1, which is why we didn't. that it was tight to the end.”

Slot: We have to defend the Carabao Cup crown

Liverpool manager Arne Slots to Sky Sports:

“We have to defend the cup because the club won it last season. I wasn't involved, but the players were. And Jurgen (Klopp), of course, with his staff.

“We want to compete in every league, and this is one of them. So we are happy to have reached the semi-final. Although we are also aware of Newcastle, Arsenal, and either Tottenham or Manchester United.

“It's always a tough competition, but this time it certainly was.

How was it in the stands? “You have a great view. It's not the first time I sit there. Sometimes I go to the stadium just to enjoy a game, so you always have a better view than when you're down .

“But sometimes it's difficult where you want to influence your players, but I have such a good staff, even when I wasn't there, they were able to get this game over the line.”