Isak nets first goal as Liverpool beat Southampton in Carabao Cup | OneFootball

Liverpool squeezed into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after a nervy 2-1 win over Southampton at Anfield.

The Reds almost went ahead within the opening minute when Curtis Jones threaded a pass to Alexander Isak, but the striker’s effort was kept out by Alex McCarthy.

The visitors also looked lively in the early stages and went even closer minutes later as Adam Armstrong’s low strike was tipped onto the post by Giorgi Mamardashvili.

The first half saw chances at both ends. Federico Chiesa had a close-range effort saved after Isak teed him up, while Southampton were left frustrated just before the break.

Joe Gomez gave the ball away cheaply, allowing Armstrong to dink it over the keeper, only for it to hit the crossbar. The rebound fell to Léo Scienza, but he headed wide with the goal at his mercy.

The hosts punished the miss immediately. Chiesa intercepted a loose pass from McCarthy and squared to Isak, who clinically slotted home his first goal for the club.

The Saints responded in the second half, equalising in the 76th minute. A corner caused chaos in the Liverpool box, and Shea Charles was on hand to finish from close range after Wataru Endo failed to clear.

The Reds, however, restored their lead late on. In the 86th minute, Chiesa controlled a long ball from Andy Robertson and squared for Hugo Ekitiké to tap in. The celebration proved costly, though, as Ekitiké’s removal of his shirt earned him a second yellow card, leaving Liverpool with ten men for the final minutes and the striker facing a one-match suspension.

Despite the late pressure from Southampton, Arne Slot's side held on to book their place in the next round of a competition they have now won a record ten times.