Liverpool moved into the League Cup semi-finals because the holders received 2-1 in opposition to managerless Southampton, whereas Gabriel Jesus ended his objective drought with a hat-trick in Arsenal’s 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Rare targets from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott at St Mary’s despatched the 10-time League Cup winners into the final 4 for a file twentieth time. Held to a shock 2-2 draw in opposition to Fulham within the Premier League final weekend, Liverpool acquired again on observe with a twentieth win from 24 video games in all competitions underneath Arne Slot, who has misplaced simply as soon as since arriving from Feyenoord to switch Jurgen Klopp.
Slot, who watched the quarter-final from the stands whereas he served a touchline suspension, opted to relaxation Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk because the Premier League leaders made eight modifications.
Liverpool’s understudies had been too robust for Southampton and Nunez ended his poor latest kind with a scientific end after Jan Bednarek made a hash of clearing Trent Alexander-Arnold’s go within the twenty fourth minute.
It was solely Nunez’s fourth objective in all competitions in a tough season for the Uruguay striker, who had gone six video games with out scoring.
Elliott doubled Liverpool’s lead within the thirty second minute, drilling low previous Alex McCarthy from 12 yards for his first objective this season.
Cameron Archer decreased the deficit within the 59th minute with an outstanding curling strike from simply inside the world.
Southampton had been livid when a late Jarell Quansah problem on Mateus Fernandes did not end in a penalty.
But there was no escaping one more defeat for Southampton in caretaker boss Simon Rusk’s first recreation after Russell Martin was sacked following Sunday’s 5-0 thrashing by Tottenham.
“It was an excellent and necessary win. We noticed numerous gamers that perhaps do not begin,” Slot mentioned.
“We dealt with it rather well and solely conceded one or two probabilities. We need to defend the trophy as a result of the membership received it final season.”
Jesus hat-trick
At the Emirates Stadium, Brazilian striker Jesus lastly discovered the again of the online on house turf for the primary time in 2024.
Jesus’ solely earlier objective in 20 appearances in all competitions this season had come in opposition to second-tier Preston within the League Cup.
The 27-year-old’s first targets in 9 video games had been well-timed after Arsenal had been booed off following Saturday’s 0-0 draw in opposition to Everton within the Premier League.
The Gunners, who final received the League Cup in 1993, are six factors behind Liverpool and Mikel Arteta made eight modifications as he prioritised Arsenal’s rematch with Palace within the high flight on Saturday.
Arteta’s gamble paid off after an early shock when Jean-Philippe Mateta punished weak defending from Jakub Kiwior to place Palace forward within the fourth minute.
But Jesus equalised with a composed chipped end within the 54th minute earlier than lashing Arsenal in entrance after narrowly beating the offside entice within the 73rd minute.
Jesus sealed his treble with one other scientific effort within the 81st minute and former Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah’s header 4 minutes later got here too late to avoid wasting Palace.
“Sometimes I’ve this downside with an absence of targets,” Jesus mentioned. “I’m working rather a lot in coaching, ending extra, placing myself in an excellent place. I believe my laborious work has paid off.”
Sandro Tonali scored twice as Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1 at St James’ Park.
Magpies boss Eddie Howe named a full-strength aspect and was rewarded with a complete victory that moved his membership a step nearer to emulating their run to the 2023 ultimate.
Newcastle, who haven’t received a significant trophy because the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, took the lead via Tonali’s high quality end from the sting of the world within the ninth minute.
The Italian midfielder netted once more two minutes earlier than half-time and Fabian Schar tapped in after 69 minutes.
Yoane Wissa’s stoppage-time strike was little comfort for Brentford.
The final quarter-final sees Tottenham host Manchester United on Thursday.
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