Liverpool advanced from the EFL third round with a stunning 2-1 victory over Southampton at Anfield on Tuesday night.
The Reds seized the lead just before halftime when summer acquisition Alexander Isak scored his first goal for the club in the 43rd minute.
The striker grabbed onto Federico Chiesa’s feed and calmly tapped home, giving Liverpool the lead at halftime.
Southampton battled their way back into the game in the 76th minute, when midfielder Shea Charles found space in the area and shot past the The Red’s goalie, quieting the home crowd and putting the tie back in the balance.
With extra time looming, Liverpool replied quickly. Substitute Hugo Ekitike regained the advantage in the 85th minute with a decisive goal, following superb work by Chiesa, who provided for the second time of the night.
The delight swiftly turned to anxiety as Ekitike, in the midst of his celebration, stripped his shirt and received a second yellow card, reducing Liverpool to ten men in the dying minutes.
Despite the numerical deficit, Arne Slot’s team maintained discipline in the latter stages, holding off Southampton’s late drive to win.
