League Cup semi-final

It feels like Liverpool will make the comeback and bettors should expect a 3-1 win for the Reds.

Three points from Anfield as Liverpool failed to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit in the EFL Cup semifinal before Shane Long struck to give Southampton a 2-0 aggregate victory. Southampton out-foxed Klopp’s team in both legs, defending magnificently over 180 minutes and rendering Klopp’s game-plan impotent. “It was a football meeting with a few other parts of the game”. “But what I spoke most about was enjoying what we do”.

Southampton have won their last three away League Cup matches against top-flight opposition, defeating Arsenal (2014/15 and 2016/17) and Stoke (2014/15); prior to this run, they’d won just two of the previous 27. We are in a situation where it is not efficient to stay just one goal up.

But since then a corner has been turned.

Southampton’s preparations haven’t been helped by an injury to Virgil Van Dijk, the centreback installed as team captain following the departure of Jose Fonte to West Ham. “For me it was important to know what Steven wants”.

Liverpool, with just the one win in seven now in 2017, took time to get going and were restricted to just two shots from range in a first half edged by their opponents. The Reds will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing defeat to Swansea in the Premier League.

Under 2.5 goals at [2.12] is my standout bet on Wednesday night.

“It’s so obvious again how much Liverpool miss Mane”.

Their last away win in the competition came a year earlier when Tranmere were beaten 1-0 in the third round.

3 Can Redmond Repeat First Leg Performance?

As the half went on, Liverpool continued to press to no avail.

The balance of the tie is ideal for Southampton just sitting there and doing nothing. On the flip side, Loris Karius at least deserves credit for keeping Liverpool in the tie. And Long confirmed the win late with Southampton now waiting to see if they will play Manchester United or Hull at Wembley in the final.

Amid a spell of nearly total dominance possession-wise for Liverpool, Philippe Coutinho curled an effort wide of the post 12 minutes from time, but the Reds could not break Saints down as the game went into its final stages. “The selling club makes the decision too”.

Another way to support Southampton is to take them at [2.06] to qualify for the final.

It was five minutes after the final whistle at St Mary’s when Liverpool belatedly sparked into life.

Liverpool are [1.9] favourites to go through.