Jamie Redknapp hails “magic” Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool march on

“Daniel Sturridge returned to Liverpool’s starting lineup in their Capital One Cup quarterfinal with Southampton, his first start since Brendan Rodgers” final game in charge.

The emphatic and historic win extends Liverpool’s Cup campaign into 2016, and the semifinal draw against Stoke City gives the Reds a chance to reach the final of the competition for a record 12th time.

Ronald Koeman’s team started in sensational fashion at St Mary’s Stadium as Sadio Mane headed it into a first-minute lead and there was little indication of the thrashing to come as Liverpool initially responded in a listless fashion.

Liverpool struggled to establish any sort of play, and Southampton were well on top without creating much in way of opportunities, until the 25th minute.

“The second half was my responsibility because it was my decision to play three at the back”. After going down and generally looking sloppy in the early goings, Liverpool strike back and put Southampton to the sword through clinical finishing from fresh striking partnership Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi, with a bit of Ibe in between. I changed the system, I made the risk of three at the back.

“It is not a miracle what he has done”, said Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana, who used to captain Southampton. If you analyse Liverpool’s first goal, it’s a throw-in, if you see how easy they play out and score the goal, that’s not good, and that can’t happen at this level.

By the time referee Robert Madley signalled for half-time, Divock Origi had given Liverpool a two-goal cushion, touching the ball in as Alberto Moreno took a shot at goal from the edge of the area.

“I suffered from a lot of injuries and it’s the worst thing in the world when you’re in the gym and you have to watch the other players go onto the pitch so I can’t imagine that that’s the case”.

“I said to Sturridge after the game “now I know what everybody is talking about so thank you”,” said Klopp of the striker who, owing to injury, has scarcely featured since the conclusion of the 2013/14 season in which his 24 goals nearly inspired Liverpool to the league title.

However, Klopp insists we should not expect Sturridge to be a permanent fixture in his side despite the forward’s vintage display. It was a well struck shot, although Maarten Stekelenburg in the home goal should have done better as the ball passed underneath his body. They are aspects the manager has previously highlighted as important to hone and Liverpool executed both to perfection en route to a place in the League Cup semi-finals.

Neither player has enjoyed the best start to the season and for differing reasons needed to show new manager Juergen Klopp what they were truly capable of. “We knew coming into this game that Liverpool are full of confidence and their offensive threat that they carry”. “Very complete, defensively strong, good movements”.