Liverpool 2-1 Southampton: Ekitike strikes late as Reds edge into fourth round | OneFootball

Liverpool progressed into the fourth round of the EFL Cup with a narrow 2-1 victory over Southampton at Anfield. Alexander Isak scored his first goal for the Reds just before half-time, only for Shea Charles to equalise in the second half. Substitute Hugo Ekitike then restored Liverpool’s lead, though his red card moments later ensured a nervy finale.

As it happened

Liverpool nearly made the perfect start when Isak was sent through inside the first minute, but Alex McCarthy parried his powerful strike over the bar. Southampton responded well, with Adam Armstrong looking sharp and testing debutant Giorgi Mamardashvili, who tipped a fierce drive over the crossbar.

The visitors grew into the half, enjoying more possession than many expected, while Liverpool struggled to impose themselves. Cameron Archer flashed an effort wide before Armstrong clipped the bar with a dinked finish after breaking clear down the left.

Just when frustration was mounting for the hosts, they struck on 43 minutes. Federico Chiesa dispossessed Southampton deep in their own box and squared for Isak, who calmly lifted the ball over McCarthy to claim his first goal in Liverpool colours.

Southampton regrouped after the interval and continued to carry a threat, with Will Still making several attacking changes. Their persistence was rewarded in the 76th minute as a corner was poorly dealt with by Liverpool, Endo’s header falling to Charles, who hammered home the equaliser from close range.

Parity lasted barely 10 minutes. A swift Liverpool move down the left saw Chiesa unselfishly roll the ball across for Ekitike, who tapped into an empty net to restore the lead in the 85th minute. The Frenchman, however, was sent off almost immediately after removing his shirt in celebration, having already been booked earlier in the half.

The red card gave Southampton fresh hope, but despite throwing men forward in stoppage time, they could not create another clear opening. Liverpool survived the late pressure to book their place in the next round.

The lineups

LIV: Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Gomez, Leoni, Robertson; Endo, Nyoni; Ngumoha, Jones, Chiesa; Isak.