The Klopp upturn continues in style as Liverpool swat aside Southampton

Where Liverpool were ponderous and fragile in the season’s early weeks, their play now crackles with energy and invention. He took both goals brilliantly, beating Steven Caulker for the opener before dispatching a clinical half-volley for his second four minutes later.

“I have absolutely no problems with a match against Everton”, he said.

After the game, Klopp said about two-goal Sturridge: “I said to him after the game, “Now I know what everybody’s talking about”.

“In our moment of development, we have to train to react faster”.

The League Cup provides Jurgen Klopp with an opportunity to win silverware in his first season at Anfield with giants Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal already out of the competition.

“It is not a miracle what he has done”, said Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana, who used to captain Southampton.

Even when the Reds made changes late on, the likes of Jordon Ibe and Brad Smith maintained that high-energy, all-action approach. “It’s a nice challenge”.

“The second half is my responsibility”.

What do you make of what Klopp had to say?

With masterful finishes, Sturridge scored Liverpool’s first two goals after Sadio Mane’s header had given Southampton the lead in the opening minute of their quarter-final fixture.

The 23-year-old came on as a first-half substitute after Fonte was forced off during the first half of Saturday’s 3-1 defeat by Manchester City and Koeman has backed him to match Liverpool striker Christian Benteke’s physicality.

The Liverpool boss is also not getting carried away with the prospect of leading his side to a major final within months after being appointed manager, instead he is focussed on the game against Southampton and nothing else, while also commenting on ways to help improve the side’s defending from set pieces, which cost Liverpool a win in the league meeting between the two sides in October.

“That was not the result we expected”, Koeman told Sky Sports.

“But how I look at it is you are now not guaranteed a first-team place”.

“I’m disappointed with how we defended today, and our defence starts up front”.

Losing Clyne would be a bigger problem as Liverpool aren’t blessed with a great amount of cover at full-back. “Of course, I know about his quality”.

“We fought very hard, we have quality and we press very high”.