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As it happenedended

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Liverpool vs Southampton as it happened: Shane Long's late strike seals Saints' date at Wembley

Re-live updates on the EFL Cup semi-final second leg at Anfield

In association with

Wednesday 25 January 2017 17:01 GMT

Long's strike ensured Southampton reached their first major final since 2003 — Long's strike ensured Southampton reached their first major final since 2003 (Getty)

Liverpool host Southampton in this week’s first finely balanced EFL Cup semi-final second leg, and a finely balanced one it is too.

Jürgen Klopp’s side were fortunate to escape from St Mary’s with a mere 1-0 deficit a fortnight ago, when their disjointed display should have been severely punished.

Nathan Redmond’s goal is the difference between the two sides and despite their failure to put the tie to bed on the south coast, Claude Puel's men will still be hopeful of booking their place at Wembley.

Follow live coverage on our blog below...

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off time: 8.00pm on Wednesday 25 January.

Where can I watch it?

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1; highlights on 5 at 10.45pm, Thursday 26 January.

Alternatively, you can bookmark this page, which will convert into The Independent's live blog of Wednesday's match.

Liverpool's potential January transfers

Show all 10

1/10Liverpool's potential January transfers

Liverpool's potential January transfers

In: Javier Hernandez

The former Manchester United striker is on Liverpool’s radar as they look to bring in a striker in January. With Sturridge injured again and Mane heading off to Gabon for the African Cup of Nations, Liverpool will be short of options. After an impressive debut season in the Bundesliga, Hernandez’s form has dipped somewhat, recording only seven goals in 23 matches.

Liverpool's potential January transfers

In: Gabriel Barbosa

Inter signed ‘Gabigol’ from Santos in the summer for around £30 million. The promising Brazilian may be allowed to leave in January on loan after struggling to make his mark with the Nerazzurri. However, in Inter’s final match before the winter break against Lazio, Barbosa’s small cameo performance showed promise and coach Stefano Pioli may want to keep him at his disposal.

Liverpool's potential January transfers

In: Emil Forsberg

RB Leipzig have really made a name for themselves this season. After getting promoted, they reside in second place in the league, a truly remarkable first half to the season. This is in no small part down to Forsberg’s displays. The 25-year-old has scored five goals and created nine in 15 games for the German outfit, and with Coutinho injured, he could be an interesting addition to the side.

Liverpool's potential January transfers

In: Aaron Cresswell

The left-back position is something of a problem position for Liverpool this term with Alberto Moreno tumbling down the pecking order. James Milner has filled in, and performed admirably, but Jurgen Klopp may want to bring in a more natural left-back to claim the starting berth and Cresswell fits the bill.

Liverpool's potential January transfers

In: Quincy Promes

The 24-year-old winger, currently at Spartak Moscow may move to Liverpool in a £20m deal this January, according to reports. Dutch international, Promes, is good friends with fellow native Georginio Wijnaldum, who wants him to join the club. With Mane on international duty for a month, Promes could also be a good loan option too, but Spartak are probably unwilling to let him go on loan.

Liverpool's potential January transfers

In: Raul Jimenez

Reports are suggesting that Liverpool will bid for the Benfica hitman in January, but it is not likely that the Portuguese outfit will sell him. The Reds may have to shell out up to £50m to secure his services after the Mexican striker has netted five goals in ten games this season, whilst struggling with a knee injury.

Liverpool's potential January transfers

In: Jacob Murphy

21-year-old Norwich City academy product Murphy may be a Liverpool player by the end of the month. After a decent first half of the season, netting five goals and also grabbing five assists, Murphy could soon be in line for a big move.

Liverpool's potential January transfers

Out: Mamadou Sakho

The French centre-back is completely out-of-favour with boss Klopp and it is likely that he may be sold in the January transfer window. Rumours have surfaced that Turkish giants Galatasaray have bid £850,000 for the former PSG captain, but other European clubs are chasing his signature.

Liverpool's potential January transfers

Out: Lucas Leiva

The deal for Lucas Leiva to head to Inter on loan was thought to have been done, but the Milan club have put it on hold. This is because they look to have favoured a move for 22-year-old Atalanta midfielder Roberto Gagliardini. The deal could still be on though as Inter look to sell midfielders of their own such as Felipe Melo.

Liverpool's potential January transfers

Out: Alberto Moreno

Moreno has struggled this season. After a shaky start against Arsenal, the Spanish international seems to have lost his place to Milner. Klopp may want to cash-in on the 24-year-old as he looks to strengthen that position, or he may well stick with him as back-up, with Milner impressing.

It’s a big game for…

Daniel Sturridge: Some Liverpool supporters were disappointed not to see Sturridge play from the off in an all-out-attacking line-up against Swansea City. Perhaps starting quick out the blocks could have prevented that shock defeat?

The truth is, however, Sturridge is desperately short of form, and ahead of next Tuesday’s visit of Chelsea, this match could provide him with much-needed shooting practice.

Remember when…

Southampton’s last win at Anfield came three seasons ago when one Dejan Lovren headed in from one Adam Lallana’s corner to secure a 1-0 victory. Both, of course, now play for Liverpool.

Player to watch…

Jack Stephens: Virgil van Dijk is expected to be absent for the visitors after sustaining an ankle injury at the weekend, meaning Puel may well turn to England Under-21 international Stephens.

The youngster centre-back made his Premier League debut for Southampton in the 3-0 defeat at Everton earlier this month, and now finds himself in with a chance of representing the club on Merseyside again.

Past three-meetings…

Southampton 1 (Redmond) Liverpool 0
EFL Cup, January 2017

Southampton 0 Liverpool 0
Premier League, November 2016

Southampton 3 (Mane 2, Pelle) Liverpool 2 (Coutinho, Sturridge)
Premier League, March 2016

Form guide

All competitions

Liverpool: DDLDWL

Southampton: LDWLWW

Odds

Liverpool to win (in 90 minutes): 12/25

Liverpool to qualify: 3/4

Southampton to win (in 90 minutes): 6/1

Southampton to qualify: 53/50

Draw: 7/2

So, Liverpool go into tonight's EFL Cup semi-final second leg behind 1-0 on aggregate.

Can you remember the last time they faced an uphill task in the last four of this competition?

It was in 2002/03, when they trailed 2-1 to Neil Warnock's Sheffield United.

Not only did they turn that tie around but they also went on to lift the trophy, beating Manchester United - another of this season's semi-finalists - in the final.

Mark Critchley25 January 2017 19:47

The teams are out...

We're seconds away from kick-off.

Mark Critchley25 January 2017 20:00

Kick-off: We're underway at Anfield!

Mark Critchley25 January 2017 20:00

1 min: The results of our poll are in, with 71.6% of you believing Liverpool will overcome the 1-0 deficit and book their place at Wembley.

It's a proper 'under the lights' atmosphere at Anfield and since it's such a finely balanced tie, you expect that we're in for a cracker.

Mark Critchley25 January 2017 20:02

4 min: Not too much to note in the opening stages, Liverpool enjoying a lot of possession as you may have suspected.

James Milner pumps a ball down the line in search of Daniel Sturridge, but it has too much on it for the striker.

Mark Critchley25 January 2017 20:05

6 min: Jack Stephens doesn't seem over-awed by the occasion.

He's been equal to the few forays forward that Liverpool have mustered so far, on what his only his third appearance for Southampton.

Mark Critchley25 January 2017 20:07

9 min: Philippe Coutinho's first moment of note is a ball in behind Southampton's back-line that is not far away from the foot of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was careering down the right flank.

It just about evades the youngster though. He would've been in, there.

Mark Critchley25 January 2017 20:10

10 min: A chance at the other end, where Nathan Redmond inexplicably plays a pass backwards when played through on goal.

He had the beating of Liverpool's back four, who had left him unmarked. The scorer of the first leg's only goal must have assumed he had team-mates in a better position.

Mark Critchley25 January 2017 20:11

15 min: Sturridge with the game's first attempt in earnest.

Ryan Bertrand dithers on the ball in his own half, allowing Coutinho to nip in and rob him. He immediately knocks the ball through for his team-mate, but Fraser Forster is behind Sturridge's shot all the way.

Mark Critchley25 January 2017 20:17

19 min: Another Liverpool opportunity from range, this time from Roberto Firmino.

He's played in neatly by Alexander-Arnold but once again, Forster has the measure of his effort and holds onto the shot.

Mark Critchley25 January 2017 20:19

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