Liverpool secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Second Division Southampton in the third round of the League Cup on Tuesday night. Arne Slott opted to rotate his squad, giving most of the starting positions to reserve players while retaining star striker Alexander Isak in the lineup. This tactical decision paid off as Isak scored his first goal for Liverpool, marking a memorable moment early in the match.
The breakthrough came just before halftime in the 43rd minute. Southampton’s goalkeeper made a rare error, allowing Chiesa to seize the opportunity and control the ball in the box. He quickly set up Isak, who expertly converted the chance to put Liverpool ahead. This goal boosted confidence as the teams went into the break.
The second half saw a resilient Southampton side fight back. Their determination was rewarded in the 76th minute when Shea Charles rose to meet a well-delivered corner and headed the ball into the net, leveling the score. The goal injected energy into the visitors, putting pressure on Liverpool to respond quickly.
Liverpool 2-1 Southampton
Liverpool’s response came late in the game, showcasing their attacking depth. In the 86th minute, a long ball from midfield found Robertson, who passed it forward to Chiesa. Chiesa then linked up with substitute Ugo Ekitike, who calmly finished into an empty goal after the Southampton goalkeeper was caught out of position.
However, the celebrations were bittersweet as Ekitike’s passionate celebration cost him dearly. After removing his shirt, he was shown a yellow card. Since it was his second booking of the match, it automatically resulted in a red card, forcing him to leave the field in the closing moments.
Despite finishing the game with 10 men, Liverpool held on to their advantage and advanced to the next round. The match highlighted Liver squad depth and Isak’s potential as a key player for the club moving forward.
