Liverpool put in another stunning away performance, hitting Southampton for six in the League Cup quarter-final on Wednesday night.
Southampton 1, Liverpool 6
League Cup Quarter-Final – St. Marys – Wednesday 2nd December 2015
Goals: Mané 1′; Sturridge 25′, 29′; Origi 45′, 68′, 86′; Ibe 73′
Adam Bogdan – 6
Having made his only two appearances for Liverpool in the previous rounds of this competition, Hungarian Bogdan retained his place between the posts for this quarter-final tie.
Couldn’t do much about mane’s close range header, and did what he had to in terms of distribution and routine saves as the game progressed.
Connor Randall – 6
Might have done better to prevent the cross for Southampton‘s first goal, but had every right to think that Can would help him out. Picked up an early booking which worried many fans, but he managed to stay on the pitch and contribute when needed against the tricky Dusan Tadic.
Martin Skrtel – 6
Had little to do, but dealt with most things which came his way in an assured manner.
Dejan Lovren – 6
Was subjected to constant abuse from the fans of his former club, which appeared to have him slightly flustered in the opening stages.
Like the rest of the team, however, he recovered his composure and settled as the game went on.
Alberto Moreno – 7.5
Partly to blame for the Southampton goal, but had little chance of stopping Mane from heading the ball on the run.
Eased himself into the game after this, and assisted Liverpool’s third when the ball fell to him from a corner. His left-footed shot whizzed through the crowd of players in the penalty area, finally taking a nick off Origi on its way into the back of the net.
Picked up his second assist when his accurate cross found substitute Jordon Ibe for the fifth goal.
Lucas Leiva – 6
Steady, as he has been in most games since Klopp took over. Kept the team ticking over in attack, and shielded the back four in defence. However, he does lack pace if the opponent manages to beat his initial press which can then leave the back four exposed.
Emre Can – 7
After operating as the holding midfielder against Swansea on Sunday, Lucas Leiva‘s inclusion in this game meant Can was free to roam forward from a slightly more advanced position.
Was sold a dummy by Bertrand in the build-up to Southampton‘s goal which he shouldn’t have bought. He more than made up for this with his pinpoint pass through to Sturridge with the outside of his boot for Liverpool’s second goal.
Was booked in the second half which means he misses the game against Newcastle.
Joe Allen – 7.5
Played good through-balls to Origi and Lallana early in the game, before providing an assist when he sent Sturridge through to equalise.
His extra dynamism helped Lucas, and he looked like the central midfielder Liverpool were lacking against Swansea on Sunday.
Adam Lallana – 6
At times it looked like the game was being played too quickly for him, especially in the first half. This was typified when he failed to pick out Origi when the striker had made a darting run off a defenders’ shoulder.
The travelling Kop got behind him in the second period, and his performance improved as he roamed behind the forwards.
Divock Origi – 9
Got the all-important touch for the third goal – his first for the club – deflecting Moreno’s bullet shot inside the post and into the net.
Acted as a good foil for Sturridge before his strike partner was taken off in the second half.
Went on to score a second when he latched on to Jordon Ibe’s through ball before powering the ball in with his right foot. Completed his hat-trick late in the game, heading in Brad Smith’s cross.
The 20-year-old showed that he does have quality, despite a slow start to his LFC career.
Daniel Sturridge – 9
Starting his first game under Jurgen Klopp, Sturridge continued his excellent goalscoring record for The Reds.
Even though his first touch from Allen’s through ball was poor, he recovered to power the ball past Stekelenburg with his left foot from a tight angle to score Liverpool’s first.
Thankfully, his first touch improved when he scored his second goal shortly after, poking home Can’s through ball on the half-volley, this time with his right boot.
Substitutes
Jordon Ibe (on for Daniel Sturridge 59′) – 7.5
Set up Origi with a perfect through-ball with his left foot, before scoring a goal of his own with a rasping effort following Moreno’s cross.
Jordan Henderson (on for Allen 74′) – 6
Picked up where Allen left off, displaying Liverpool’s ever-growing list of squad options as he continues his return from injury. Likely to start at the weekend in the absence of the suspended Can.
Brad Smith (on for Moreno 77′) – 7
Slotted in nicely on the left, giving Moreno a much needed rest late on in the game. Looks to be in a similar mould to his Spanish team-mate, showing great pace down the left, and notched up an assist of his own when he put a cross on Origi’s head, making it easy for the striker to bag his hat-trick.
Could be useful in future games given the club’s lack of depth in this area.
Jurgen Klopp – 9
When a manager can change the formation and personnel while maintaining the general team philosophy and quality, you can’t ask for much more.
His players relaxed into the game after going behind, rather than panicking, which is a frame of mind the manager has been trying to instil since taking over at the club.
Looked on almost in disbelief when his two second half substitutes – Ibe and Smith – contributed to the three second half goals.
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SOUTHAMPTON 1-6 LIVERPOOL
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