Introduction
The Carabao Cup, one of the most exciting and competitive knockout competitions in English football, is well into its business end. With the semi-finals now on the horizon, clubs are gearing up for some intense battles in their bid to reach the final at Wembley. The draw for the semi-finals has been made, but first, let’s take a closer look at the quarter-final action ahead, including the much-anticipated clash between Southampton and Liverpool, and what fans can expect from the remaining matches.
Southampton vs Liverpool: A Historic Encounter
Liverpool, the defending Carabao Cup champions, will face Southampton in the quarter-finals at St Mary’s Stadium on Wednesday night. For Arne Slot side, this marks a significant opportunity to reach a record 20th League Cup semi-final, a testament to the club’s long-standing success in the competition. The Reds have won the League Cup 10 times in total, with their most recent triumph in 2022, when they defeated Chelsea in a penalty shootout in the final.
This season, Liverpool has already seen off West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion in their defence of the trophy, but this fixture against Southampton presents a different challenge. The Saints have a proud history in the competition, famously defeating Liverpool in both legs of the semi-final in 2017 without conceding a goal. In fact, Southampton remains the only team to have knocked the Reds out of the League Cup in both legs of a semi-final.
Liverpool comes into the match in strong form, having won 12 of the last 14 meetings between the two sides, including a thrilling 3-2 victory at St Mary’s in the Premier League just a few weeks ago. Key players such as Mohamed Salah, who has 227 goals for Liverpool and is just one goal shy of joining Billy Liddell in joint-fourth place on the club’s all-time top scorers list, will be crucial in Liverpool’s bid to advance. Salah has been in excellent form, with nine goals in 12 appearances against Southampton, including two goals in the recent Premier League win.
The match also marks a potential milestone for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who could make his 300th start for Liverpool. Meanwhile, Joe Gomez, another key figure in Liverpool’s defence, is the current Reds player with the most appearances in the League Cup, having played 17 times in the competition.
The Path to the Quarter-Finals for Southampton
Southampton’s journey to the quarter-finals has been impressive, as they have knocked out Cardiff City (5-3), Everton (after a penalty shootout), and Stoke City (3-2) in the previous rounds. Under the management of Arne Slot, Southampton has shown resilience and determination, traits that will be crucial if they are to spring an upset against the Premier League giants.
Southampton’s ability to cause problems for Liverpool in recent years cannot be overlooked. In fact, the Saints were the first team to ever knock the Reds out of the League Cup, securing a 2-1 victory at Anfield back in 1960. With the home advantage, Southampton will be hoping to replicate past successes and set up a mouthwatering semi-final clash.
Key Team News: Who Will Feature for Liverpool?
Liverpool manager Arne slot has provided some key updates ahead of the quarter-final clash, with a few interesting decisions expected for this fixture. Diogo Jota, who made a goalscoring return to action as a substitute in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Fulham, is unlikely to start the match due to fitness concerns. However, Federico Chiesa, who has been recovering from an injury layoff, could be in line for some minutes.
Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is expected to start in goal, with first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker making way for the Cup specialist. Kelleher has been a reliable performer for Liverpool in domestic cup competitions and will be looking to continue his strong form.
In terms of rotation, Arne Slot has hinted at the possibility of including academy players in the squad, especially given the current injury and suspension issues affecting the squad. The absence of some key defenders could open the door for young players such as Amara Nallo and James Norris to feature, with Slot acknowledging that some of the club’s younger players have been impressive in training.
A Clash of Styles: What Southampton Needs to Do to Upset Liverpool
For Southampton to progress to the semi-finals, they will need to produce a tactical masterclass. Arne Slot’s side has been in excellent form recently, remaining unbeaten in their last 19 matches across all competitions (16 wins and three draws). While Liverpool boasts one of the most potent attacking forces in Europe, Southampton will be hoping to capitalise on any defensive vulnerabilities.
Southampton’s strength in recent weeks has been their resilience and ability to grind out results. The Saints will need to nullify the attacking threats posed by Liverpool’s forwards, particularly Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo, both of whom have been in fine goal-scoring form. Gakpo, in particular, has been a standout in this competition, netting eight goals in his last eight Carabao Cup appearances. Southampton’s defence will need to be on high alert, with players like Mohamed Salisu and Armel Bella-Kotchap tasked with keeping the Liverpool attack at bay.
Other Carabao Cup Quarter-Final Matches
In addition to Southampton vs Liverpool, the other quarter-final matches promise to deliver plenty of drama. On Thursday night, Tottenham Hotspur will face Manchester United in what is sure to be a closely contested tie. Spurs, under Ange Postecoglou, have been in great form this season, while Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United side will be looking to bounce back from recent struggles.
Elsewhere, Arsenal will host Crystal Palace, and Newcastle United will take on Brentford in the final two quarter-final clashes. Arsenal, fresh off their impressive Premier League performances, will be favourites against a Crystal Palace side that has shown flashes of quality but has been inconsistent at times this season. Meanwhile, Newcastle will hope to continue their strong cup run against a Brentford team that has become known for their resilience and tactical discipline.
Semi-Final Draw: What to Expect
The semi-final draw will take place immediately after the Tottenham vs Manchester United match on Thursday evening, with the draw scheduled to begin at 10.30pm GMT. Fans of the remaining clubs will be eagerly awaiting the outcome, as the prospect of a final appearance at Wembley becomes increasingly tangible.
The Carabao Cup semi-finals are set to be a thrilling affair, with some of the biggest names in English football battling for a place in the final. As the competition heads towards its conclusion, one thing is certain: drama, excitement, and high-quality football are guaranteed.
Conclusion
As we move closer to the Carabao Cup semi-finals, there’s no shortage of intrigue and excitement surrounding the competition. For Liverpool, the task is clear: they must overcome Southampton to reach yet another League Cup semi-final and continue their pursuit of a record 10th win in the competition. However, with the Saints proving a thorn in their side on previous occasions, Klopp and his squad will need to be at their very best.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
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