Klopp cool about Liverpool’s League Cup draw

Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi proved a devastating double act as Liverpool ran riot at St Mary’s.

After three 1-1 draws in the opening matches of the Europa League, Liverpool defeated Rubin Kazan with 1-0 in Klopp’s first win in Europe as a Liverpool manager.

68′ GOAL! Southampton 1-4 Liverpool: Origi makes it four with his second Liverpool goal!

Divock Origi would score the first of three when he got the slightest of touches on an Alberto Moreno blast from distance just prior to the half-time whistle and the Belgian would follow that up with a thunderous effort of his own and a simple header past a stranded Maarten Stekelenburg to complete a ideal hat-trick.

While Liverpool’s improvement under Klopp, especially away from home, has sparked a wave of renewed belief among fans, the Reds were second best and a long way off the pace as Southampton grabbed an early stranglehold on the tie.

Adam Lallana: The England man has scored just five goals since leaving the Saints back in July 2014, and has gone eleven games without scoring for Liverpool in all competitions this season, with one assist.

Eighteen minutes remained when Ibe, following a left-wing cross from Moreno, sent an equally powerful shot into the back of the net from just inside the area after chesting the ball to control, and even then Klopp’s resurgent team had the time and desire to score again.

Liverpool suffered an injury scare in the 58th minute when Sturridge looked to have picked up a knock and was replaced by Jordon Ibe. Emre Can picked out Sturridge with a sublime pass and the striker side-footed home from 12-yards out.

“They played a fantastic game”.

The foot issue was proven not to be serious, leading to his return to the bench on Sunday, with Klopp saying: “His body has to learn to adapt to the new intensity of training, and in this time you have to learn what is serious pain and what is only pain”.

“We showed that (in the) second half against Manchester City (in Saturday’s 3-1 away defeat as the team vastly improved after half-time) and that’s all about ourselves”.

Ronald Koeman, making do with “reality” ahead of their hosting Liverpool in the League Cup quarterfinals today.

“First of all they have a great energy”, Koeman said. Sturridge was as sharp as ever and at his clinical best in front of goal, taking both goals superbly well. The Villans did put up a spirited fight, but couldn’t quite match the hosts’ quality, as second half goals from Mayo Yoshida and Graziano Pelle made sure that Scott Sinclair’s 90th minute penalty was nothing more than a mere consolation.

“That’s what he wants to do and for this you need some time to play and that’s what we gave him tonight”.