Liverpool 2 – 1 Southampton
Reds: Isak 43’, Ekitike 85’
Saints: Charles 75’
Pre-Match
Well, if there’s any competitive match that I’d be the most OK with losing, it’s this one. The League Cup is great if you win it, and pretty much inconsequential
if you don’t. That said, it will be nice to get some minutes into Alexander Isak and Jeremie Frimpong and the Big Italian Boy.
First Half
Anfield rises for another moment of silence for Matt Beard. We could do with fewer of these going forward.
Isak gets off a shot within the first minute and really should score, but the keeper puts it behind for a corner. And after that near-dream start, nothing at all happened for the next 20 or so minutes until Isak teed up Chiesa for a shot. Falling asleep here.
Southampton had two enormous chances to open the scoring and hit one off the post and headed the next one just past the post. And because football is a cruel, cruel bitch, Isak scored a sitter a moment later.
Second Half
Slot brings Isak off at the half and brings Ekitike on.
Ekitike goes into the book for throwing the ball up in the air. And yes, this is one of the highlights of this match that is most definitely happening.
Southampton are back on level terms after they poked home a loose ball in the box following a corner. Good thing we go straight to pens.
And it goes from bad to worse, it looks like Leoni did his knee on the sidelines. Kerkez comes on to replace him almost immediately. Yikes.
Good news, bad news: Ekitike scored a fantastic goal, put on a plate for him by Chiesa. And then, like an idiot, took off his shirt in celebration and got his walking orders.
Final Thoughts
Liverpool are on to the next round, and Ekitke will miss out on the trip to Crystal Palace, the big dummy. Otherwise, not bad for a heavily changed side that had never played together before or likely will again. And hopefully it’s not too bad with Leoni, but it looked…very bad!
