Liverpool’s ‘children’ defeated Southampton and advance to the next round of the FA Cup – – 2024-03-03 08:24:40

The ‘Klopp boys’ have done it again. After winning the Carabao Cup against Chelsea (0-1) with a team of circumstances, Liverpool beat Sothampton (3-0) in the fifth round of the FA Cup with five youth players in the eleven thanks to the goals of Lewis Koumas and Jayden Danns (double). Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United awaits in the quarterfinals.

The plague of injuries forced Klopp to once again use the academy boys. He fielded an eleven that had an average age of 23 years and he was able to pay dearly for it. Distraught, perhaps, by the magnitude of the scenario, the ‘reds’ succumbed during the first minutes. In fact, Craig Pawson disallowed a goal from Sékou Mara in the first action of the match for offside. Five minutes later, Sulemana hit a ball over the post and Kelleher stopped a one-on-one against Mara himself. He survived as Liverpool best could.

During the first half hour, Southampton were the masters of the match and, at no time, were they overcome by the mystique of Anfield. The greatest proof of this was his non-negotiable start from behind. Liverpool did not adjust the pressure well and left an ocean behind their midfielders for Sulemana to run into space. Southampton tried again and again. But, when you don’t take advantage of your chances… you end up paying for it.

Liverpool, with Joe Gómez acting as pivot, took control of the match and bottlenecked Soton in their own half of the field. On the stroke of half-time, debutant Lewis Koumas grabbed the ball on the edge of the area and, with a bit of luck, connected with a cross shot that Lumley couldn’t stop to make it 1-0. Many youth players in the eleven. But they have the DNA of the elders… and the same iron jaw.

The children’s party at Anfield
The second part began in a similar way to the first. Southampton regained control in the match and had actions of all colors to tie it. Kelleher stopped another one-on-one against Sulemana and Shea Charles, coming off a corner, sent a ball that was practically over the line.

Same movie as in the first act. Liverpool began to recover and, now, they punish Southampton’s departure. Elliott rubbed the lamp on the front and served a great delivery for Jayden Danns to finish subtly over the goalkeeper with 15 minutes remaining. A punishment that was too harsh for some ‘saints’ who accepted defeat and gave up in the final stretch. So much so that Danns himself had time to leave with a double on his own account.