DARWIN NUNEZ discovered his finishing touch to set Liverpool on their way to the last four and inflict more misery on Southampton.
The Uruguayan arrived on the South Coast with a single goal from his previous 11 appearances, but his calm finish, swiftly followed by a first of the season for Harvey Elliott, looked to have teed up a straightforward evening for Arne Slot's Premier League leaders.
But the division's bottom side put up a creditable second-half response and Cameron Archer halved the deficit with an impressive finish before several good chances to level went amiss.
Interim Saints boss Simon Rusk's future is still unclear with the club pursuing a number of options to replace Russell Martin, who was sacked after Sunday's 5-0 thrashing by Tottenham.
Denne historien er fra December 19, 2024-utgaven av Daily Star.
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Denne historien er fra December 19, 2024-utgaven av Daily Star.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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'Rashford is stark lesson in how the game works ...take your eye off the ball and it will bite you!
DWIGHT YORKE Marcus Rashford's decline at Manchester United has been \"startling\" and that his form has been \"nonexistent\".
SAINTS STUCK IN LIVING ELL
But Slot's men made to work for it
GAB-SMACKED
Hat-trick hero Jesus fires Gunners
WHAT A TON OF TROUBLE
Super Sandro stings the Bees
OLD ON A MO
Wright aims to shock young 'uns
PARENT FLAP
Fury's dad looks set to miss out after criticism
HAPPY PEFT
Undeniable Warriors break the mould
WILLIAMS WHIPS UP NEWBURY STORM
LORCAN WILLIAMS is in hot water with the BHA - and boss Paul Nicholls - after his whip use aboard Captain Bellamy at Newbury left the five-year-old facing disqualification.
FESTIVE FILM'S A TRIBUTE TO PREZ
A CHARACTER in classic film White Christmas was based on US president Dwight D Eisenhower.
FAREWELL TO KING OF THE ROAD EDDIE
Haulage hero Stobart dies at 95
