Arne Slot started without captain Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo. The Dutch trio got peace and was not on the couch either. Only Jeremie Frimpong started in the base.
English media compare Arne Slot with legendary Sir Alex Ferguson after another miraculous victory
Southampton was not inferior to Liverpool before the break. The club that had won only once in the first six league matches in the Championship, played with confidence. But on the stroke of half -time things went wrong for the visitors.
First Southampton had the chance in the game to take the lead against the leader in the Premier League, but the ball of Adam Armstrong ended up on the crossbar. Léo Scienza failed in the rebound, he headed the ball next to.
Immediately afterwards Liverpool struck. Alexander Isak scored his first goal. Federico Chiesa took advantage of an error Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy found the Swedish striker in the penalty area and he completed it cold-blooded: 1-0.
Alexander Isak is celebrating his very first goal for Liverpool. © Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Inspiration -free Liverpool
That was it for Isak, because Slot kept him in the dressing room after the break. Hugo Ekitike was his replacement.
There was little to experience after the break on Anfield. After more than an hour of play, Liverpool seemed to be a 2-0 lead, but the goal of. Chiesa was rightly rejected. He stood offside.
Arne Slot gives instructions. Liverpool also remained unbeaten on Tuesday evening. © Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Hugo Ekitike
Fifteen minutes before the end it became right for Southampton via Shea Charles: 1-1. But Liverpool would not be Liverpool if it did not score in the final minutes.
It was Ekitike who took care of the 2-1. The substitute celebrated his goal by pulling out his shirt. A bit stupid because he already had yellow and could therefore leave.
With a man less, the team of trainer Arne Slot no longer gave the lead. Liverpool qualified for the fourth round with the victory. Last season the club lost in the final of the Newcastle United League Cup.