Man of the Match: Harvey Elliott Shines as Liverpool Beat Southampton in Carabao Cup Quarter-Final | OneFootball

Southampton 1 – 2 Liverpool: Carabao Cup Man of the Match

Harvey Elliott

Following a stuttering start to life under the new Liverpool head coach, Arne Slot, Harvey Elliott can now start to build upon this next phase of his Anfield career. As an exciting prodigy who exploded at Craven Cottage (within the Fulham Academy), his move to Merseyside as a diminutive yet talented youngster soon saw him become a solid favourite of his former manager, Jürgen Klopp. This season, however, an injury at the opening weekend of the 2024/25 season scuppered the good work which was evident in the Red’s summer preseason tour of the US.

Tonight in this EFL Cup quarter-final on the south coast, a lack of coordination was always going to become apparent (at some point) against a side without a permanent manager (Russell Martin was sacked on Sunday evening), especially given that the Reds would be making significant changes to the own starting line up.

The first half of this game was fairly well controlled by the travelling party, as the overwhelming game plan and superior approach of the visitors allowed the starting attacking assets to express themselves, against a side who looked uncertain of how to undertake their strategy. The first goal was fortunate and well taken by the Uruguayan hitman, Darwin Núñez, as he benefitted from a deflection in the build-up.

It would be the second effort that was more impressive, as good pressure and intricate build-up play eventually allowed the goal to be scored by the eventual man of the match, Harvey Elliott. A crisp strike from 18 yards out allowed vital breathing room and showed the important role that the England under-21 international can play in the second half of the season.

The second half was about character and resilience, as the pre-planned alterations saw the output of the reigning EFL Cup winners, Liverpool, unable to match the quality displayed in the opening 45 minutes. With graft and hard running needed in the place of sublime play, this was another string that has always been part of the Elliott bow.

In a contest that threatened to become a longer night than expected, the work-rate of certain individuals was to the required level and despite some unflattering moments by players not entirely up to the speed needed by a European heavyweight, the end goal was attained.

Regarding that man who took most of the plaudits, Harvey can become a very interesting component over the coming weeks, with his ability to create and score a key advantage within a multifunctional squad of assets.

Pre-match Prediction: Southampton 1 – 3 Liverpool