Tipster profile image
Victor Petkov
twitter iconlikedin iconlikedin icon
Head of Content authorBadge
Last Updated:

3 min read

Liverpool edge past Southampton with Ekitike and Isak goals to reach Carabao Cup Fourth Round
google news logo Follow us
Add comment
Ekitike scored the late winner, but got sent off for second yellow card after taking off his shirt

Liverpool booked their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after grinding out a 2-1 win over Southampton at Anfield.

The Reds could have scored inside the opening minute when Curtis Jones slipped Federico Chiesa into the box. The Italian squared for Alexander Isak, but Alex McCarthy denied the striker with a sharp save.

Southampton responded well and continued to trouble Liverpool’s defence. Ryan Manning whipped in a dangerous cross midway through the first half, with Cameron Archer forcing Joe Gomez into a desperate block that almost ended up in his own net. Moments later, Mamardashvili had to stay alert to keep the visitors at bay.

The Saints went closer still just before half-time. Adam Armstrong rattled the crossbar when clean through on goal, before Leo Cienza somehow failed to head into an empty net in stoppage time.

Liverpool punished that miss instantly. From McCarthy’s misplaced pass, Chiesa pounced and teed up Isak, who calmly slotted home for his first goal in a Liverpool shirt.

Southampton weren’t finished, though, and found a deserved equaliser in the 76th minute. From a corner, Wataru Endo’s failed clearance was redirected by Joshua Quarshi into the path of Shay Charles, who stabbed home from close range.

But the hosts restored their advantage just nine minutes later. Andy Robertson launched a long pass over the top to Chiesa, who unselfishly squared for Hugo Ekitike to make it 2-1. The Frenchman, however, blotted his copybook almost immediately — celebrating by removing his shirt and earning a needless second yellow card.