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
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Vital information...
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
Follow the action below...
Please allow a moment for the blog to load.
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)
HALF TIME: Southampton 1-0 Liverpool
The visitors may have enjoyed the greater percentage of possession here at St Mary's but there's no doubt that Southampton deserve to be leading. There's been an electricity and urgency to their game which has caught Liverpool out on more than one occasion. Were it not for Karius' heroics in between the sticks, Nathan Redmond could quite easily have been on a hat-trick. Southampton have created the best chances by a country mile and will feel confident going into the second half that this game is theirs for the taking. Liverpool, on the other hand, need a sharp response. Game on.
Our man Jack Pitt-Brooke is at St Mary's tonight. Keep an eye out for his report later.
45 min: And that's the whistle! The second half is under way here at St Mary's.
47 min: Southampton's front line continuing to look as proactive and spirited as it was in the first half. It's not long before their pressing pays off as Milner ends up committing a foul on Tadic just outside Liverpool's penalty area. Saints free-kick.
48 min: Tadic with the effort but Lovren gets a solid head to it in the centre of the box to deflect the effort away for a corner. It's whipped in dangerously from the right to the far back post but Karius just about manages to get a hand to it to push the delivery away. A slight scuffle ensues before ending in a Liverpool goal-kick.
52 min: Liverpool really don't know how to handle Southampton's press tonight. After a promising Reds attack, the Saints defence grab hold of possession before pumping the ball long in search of Rodrgiuez. The forward gives chase and it's Milner who ends up player the ball back to his keeper. With more red-and-white shirts looming, the Liverpool defence appears to panic before Southampton eventually force a Reds throw-in near the right-hand side corner flag.
54 min: Virgil van Dijk of all people with a shot on goal! After skipping past Sturridge near the Liverpool byline, the defender tried his luck from the tightest of angles on the left. He found target but it wasn't enough to beat Karius. Nonetheless, what on earth was he doing there... and how was he allowed to take a shot on goal? Not that Southampton will mind. They're the team on top here.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments