Southampton vs Liverpool - it happened: Nathan Redmond strike hands Saints first-leg advantage
Re-live all the action from the EFL Cup semi-final clash
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Kick-off: 19:45
TV: Live on Sky Sports 1
Teams:
Southampton: Forster, Cédric, van Dijk, Yoshida, Bertrand, Clasie, Romeu, Davis, Tadić, Redmond, Rodriguez. Subs: Lewis, Long, Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Stephens, McQueen, Sims.
Liverpool: Karius, Clyne, Lovren, Klavan, Milner, Lucas, Can, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Firmino, Sturridge. Subs: Mignolet, Gomez, Moreno, Stewart, Coutinho, Woodburn, Origi
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It’s a big game for...
Claude Puel. The Frenchman has come under gradually increasing pressure, losing three matches in the space of four. A win here would certainly ease worries ahead of a tricky away cup tie later in the month.
Best stat...
The last three matches with these two have amassed 12 goals, including the Reds’ enormous 6-1 win against the Saints in last year’s EFL cup, whereas Southampton beat Liverpool 3-2 in the Premier League with Sadio Mane scoring twice.
Remember when…
The last time Liverpool visited St Mary’s Divock Origi gave them nightmares with his movement and ultimately wound up scoring the perfect hat trick against them. Look for him to feature heavily against Southampton on Wednesday night.
Player to watch…
Loris Karius. Klopp has confirmed that the German goalkeeper will very likely start against the Saints, after previously being dropped in favour of Simon Mignolet. He has been the centre of public criticism, even involving himself in a public spat with Gary Neville, and he will want to give a good account of himself.
Past three meetings...
Southampton 0 Liverpool 0, Premier League, 2016.
Southampton 3 (Mane 2, Pelle) Liverpool 2 (Coutinho, Sturridge) Premier League, 2016.
Southampton 1 (Mane) Liverpool 6 (Sturridge 2, Origi 3, Ibe) EFL Cup, 2015.
Form guide...
Southampton: DLLLW
Liverpool: WWWWDD
Odds...
Southampton: 21/10
Liverpool: 5/4
Draw: 12/5
(Odds provided by 888Sport)
1 min: An early penalty appealy? Rodriguez is brought down right on the edge of the box by the Liverpool defence. The fans call for a penalty but the ref isn't having any of it and waves on play.
3 min: Credit to Saints, this has been a lively start from the visitors as another long ball in behind is played to Rodriguez. The forward gives chase down the right flank forcing Lovren to react quickly and step in to boot the danger clear.
6 min: A lovely ball is floated out wide to Milner on the left-hand touchline who brings it down with a neat first touch. He drives into space, pulls off a number of step-overs but can't find his way through. Southampton snatch back possession.
9 min: Liverpool are enjoying more possession now as they string the ball back and forth across the home side's final third. But Saints are standing strong and refusing to give an inch. Their positioning looks firm and disciplined while their pressing, so far, has been on point.
12 min: After their spirited start, Saints have settled somewhat - as has the crowd... Could we be in store for a long, dry evening of football? Let's hope not.
14 min: The possession stats are in for the match so far: 31% Southampton, 69% Liverpool.
15 min: Finally, a bit of action. Liverpool float the ball in from the left but it carries its journey on through the box and out the other side. It's pumped back in... but this time van Dijk is on hand to nod the danger clear. As you were...
18 min: Chance for Liverpool! Adam Lallana breaks into the box on the right-hand side and is picked out by a well-placed ball from Milner. The player nods it back across the box and into the path of Firmino who catches it on the bounce with a sweet volleyed strike. It zips to the top-right corner but Forster reacts quickly to push the shot away and force a corner. Finally something to get excited about.
GOAL! Southampton 1-0 Liverpool (Nathan Redmond, 20 min):
It's as if Firmino's earlier shot injected a degree of urgency into the game! Moments after his effort and finally Southampton have something to cheer about. Ragnar Klavan has had an absolute nightmare in dealing with a ball over the top and inadverdently hands Clasie possession. From there, the player sets up Redmond who proceeds to storm into the box and lets loose, firing his shot across goal, past Karius, and into the back of the net.
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