Liverpool moved into the last four of the Carabao Cup after a 2-1 victory over Southampton on Wednesday evening.

Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott found the net in the first half for a much-changed Reds side without either Virgil van Dijk or Mohamed Salah.

Cameron Archer pulled one back as Southampton by interim boss Simon Rusk, after sacking Russell Martin, Tried to mount a spirited comeback after the break.

But it was Arne Slott’s side who made progress as they looked to retain their Carabao Cup crown.

by @Carabao_Cup Semi-Finals! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/nzszAMwu7Z

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 18, 2024

Slott looked on from above in the stands at St Mary’s, due to a touchline ban for picking up his third yellow card of the campaign during Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Fulham.

And the Liverpool boss will have been largely satisfied with the early viewing, with the Reds quickly asserting their dominance in possession.

Youngsters Tyler Morton and 17-year-old Tre Nyoni, making his first senior start, saw plenty of the ball, but had little in the way of penetration for the league leaders.

For Southampton, one of the more controversial aspects of Martin’s reign this season has been his insistence on playing from the back.

Loud cheers rang out in the stadium every time the Saints cleared their line, a clear indication of the fans’ feelings on the matter.

So there was something cruelly ironic about Liverpool’s opening goal coming after a long ball from deep.

Trent Alexander-Arnold provided the assist-of-sort when his lofted pass was mis-kicked by Jan Bednarek into the path of Nunez.

The Liverpool number nine took a touch before slotting past Alex McCarthy. With no VAR until the semi-finals, the goal stood and Nunez wheeled away in celebration.

Two years ago, Elliott grabbed his first possession of the season when he finished off a sloppy passing move from Liverpool’s left.

Harvey Elliott gets his first goal of the season! 💫 pic.twitter.com/OksUKPUySa

– Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 18, 2024

For Southampton, who have often quickly embraced the term after going behind, it all felt painfully familiar.

Alexis McAllister then drew a smart save from McCarthy to prevent a third but Liverpool were in complete control going into the break.

Southampton came out with a little more spark in the second half and were rewarded for their efforts when Cameron Archer halved the deficit with a superb finish before the hour.

Cameron Archer, what a goal! 😍 pic.twitter.com/Z3gq5r9NUT

– Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 18, 2024

He suddenly gave life to the hosts. Caomhín Kelleher’s reactions were definitely put to the test as Archer moved in close again moments later.

A suitable cup tie appeared on the card. With their tails, the hosts looked more alive.

They missed a few half chances but failed to really test Kelleher.

Substitute Federico Chiesa then had two efforts blocked in front of goal for the visitors, while Saints had a late penalty denied.

In the end, Liverpool were sweating on a victory that, looking at the first half, seemed inevitable.

Southampton’s successful second half drew applause at full-time. Signs, perhaps, there is still a fight left on this side.