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The teams news is out, and Irish international Shane Long must be content with a place on the bench.
In case you missed it earlier, Liverpool received a boost earlier with the news that Philippe Coutinho has signed a new contract.
It’s a big night for Southampton youngster Jack Stephens at centre-back.
It’s just his sixth appearance for the club at senior level — he’s appeared twice in the Premier League, both times from the bench.
We’re underway…
Southampton have unsurprisingly started quite cautiously.
They are allowing Liverpool plenty of possession and have nearly every player inside their own half.
Youngster Jack Stephens has looked quite composed early on, winning a few headers.
While he doesn’t have much experience for Southampton, he did rack up a number of appearances on loan at Coventry in League One last season.
Coutinho plays a clever through ball that just evades Arnold, who was sprinting down the right wing.
Down the other end, Rodriguez finds Redmond inside the Liverpool area, but the attacker tries to pass when he should have gone himself and ends up conceding possession cheaply.
Sturridge finds space in the box, but his shot is straight at Forster.
Ryan Betrand is a relieved man, as he conceded possession extremely cheaply in the build up to that chance.
Ward-Prowse’s free kick is flighted straight into the hands of Karius.
Lovren was blatantly tugging the jersey of Yoshida in the penalty area as the ball went into the box, so the Croatian defender was taking quite a risk there.
Liverpool continue to dominate possession and territory, though they have yet to create a clear-cut chance.
That said, 18-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold has looked a considerable threat down the right.
There’s grappling between Matip and Stephens, as a Coutinho free kick goes harmlessly into the arms of Forster.
Down the other end, the ball falls to Davis on the edge of the area, but his shot is blocked by Milner.
Superb play from Redmond, who beats Matip before squaring to Tadic. However, the striker is denied by a big save from Karius.
That could be looked back on as a pivotal moment in this tie.
Redmond beats Matip again, before playing it to Davis, and the Northern Ireland international blazes the ball over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Down the Liverpool right, Redmond is causing big problems for the hosts currently.
It’s been a fairly encouraging first half from a Southampton perspective.
The Saints have been solid at the back, while the pace of Redmond has provided them with a serious threat on the counter-attack.
Southampton continue to threaten as a Ward-Prowse pot shot goes a few inches wide.
This has been a poor half from a Liverpool perspective.
HALF-TIME: LIVERPOOL 0-0 SOUTHAMPTON (AGGREGATE 0-1)
The second half is underway…
Shane Long has replaced the injured Jay Rodriguez for Southampton in the second half.
This looks like the ideal game for the pacy Ireland international, with plenty of space to exploit on the counter-attack.
Yoshida goes up for a header and lands awkwardly on his rib.
He looks like he’ll be okay, which will be a big relief to Claude Puel, who can scarcely afford to lose another centre-back.
Nervy moment for Southampton!
Forster parries Firmino’s swerving shot towards his own goal, but manages to claw the ball away at the second attempt, just before it goes over the line.
Ward-Prowse’s evening is over after he appears to land awkwardly on his ankle.
Højbjerg has replaced him.
Good chance for Sturridge! The ball falls to him inside the box, but he fails to keep his scissors kick down, as Southampton breathe another sigh of relief.
Liverpool are beginning to gain a bit of attacking momentum now.
Long bullies Matip off the ball, but his subsequent pass is too short to reach the onrushing Redmond.
Down the other end, Sturridge gets another decent chance, as his volley from Henderson’s cross goes over the bar.
Another counter-attack from the Saints, as Højbjerg’s shot deflects off Lovren for a corner.
This game has been a bit of a slow burner, but it’s been increasingly entertaining to watch as the match has wore on.
Claims for a penalty, as Milner goes down from a challenge by Cédric Soares.
It would have been a soft one.
Can’s attempted through ball goes harmlessly out of play, and the crowd’s frustration is audible.
Liverpool are looking short of ideas with 15 minutes remaining.
It’s turning into a bit of a siege now. Every player bar Karius is in the Southampton half.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have brought on Origi in place of Can.
Redmond, who’s been excellent tonight, is replaced by 19-year-old Josh Sims.
Liverpool’s defenders will certainly be relieved to see the back of the former Norwich City winger.
More nervous moments for Southampton, as the ball bobbles around the box before they eventually clear it.
Replays reveal that the ball ricocheted off the top of Shane Long’s arm, but it would have been harsh if he had been penalised as a result.
Interesting final Liverpool substitution.
Coutinho is replaced by Wijnaldum.
Oriol Romeu gets a deserved man of the match.
He’s been excellent as Southampton’s primary destroyer in midfield tonight.
LIVERPOOL 0-1 SOUTHAMPTON (LONG 90)
Seconds after Origi is denied a penalty following a mistimed challenge by Stephens, Southampton break.
Sims carries the ball a good distance before laying it off to Long, who makes no mistake with a composed finish.
FULL-TIME: LIVERPOOL 0-1 SOUTHAMPTON (AGGREGATE 0-2)
Our report of tonight’s match is now live.
You can read it here.
That’s all from me. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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