Daniel Sturridge marked his return to first-team action by inspiring Liverpool to a 6-1 win over Southampton in the League Cup.
The Reds trailed inside the opening minute to Sadio Mane's header, but they soon hit back through two Sturridge goals.
Alberto Moreno added a third for his side prior to the break, which Divock Origi - who got a minor touch to the ball on its way through - had plenty of reason to claim after scoring another couple of his own in the second half.
Substitute Jordon Ibe also helped himself to a goal to add to his earlier assist, ensuring that a resurgent Liverpool will take their place in the final four of the competition for the third time in five years.
Relive Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the League Cup quarter-final meeting between Southampton and Liverpool at a sold-out St Mary's. The visitors have impressed since Jurgen Klopp took charge in October, losing just one of their 10 games so far in all competitions and winning seven of those.
Opponents Southampton are looking to bounce back from successive defeats, meanwhile, knowing that a first appearance in the final four of this competition since 1987 is up for grabs this evening. Manchester City, Everton and Stoke City are already in the hat for the next round, but who will be joining them?
This is the only all-Premier League tie of the fifth round. All three of last night's ties coupled together teams from the top flight and the Championship, with the Prem sides prevailing in each match. One more of the competition favourites will fall tonight, meanwhile, as Liverpool and Southampton prepare to lock horns on the South Coast.
TEAM NEWS!
SOUTHAMPTON XI: Stekelenburg; Cedric, Van Dijk, Caulker, Bertrand; Davis, Clasie, Wanyama; Mane, Tadic, Pelle
LIVERPOOL XI: Bogdan; Randall, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno; Can, Lucas, Allen; Lallana, Origi; Sturridge
Jurgen Klopp has made six changes to his side in all from the victory over Swansea City a few days ago. The star inclusion in the starting lineup is that of Daniel Sturridge who, fresh on the back from his cameo against the Swans on Sunday evening, earns his first start under the eccentric German this evening. The England international will likely start up top in a 4-3-2-1 formation.
There is no Philippe Coutinho for Liverpool once more this evening, so Klopp has therefore selected both Divock Origi and Sturridge in advanced positions, while Christian Benteke - who has scored in each of his last two appearances against Southampton - will have to settle for a place among the subs.
Academy product Connor Randall earns a second Liverpool appearance of the campaign, meanwhile, having also played the full 90 minutes against Bournemouth in the last round. Further forward, both Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen will start alongside Emre Can in Klopp's preferred 'Christmas Tree' formation - that's assuming Origi will play just off Sturridge, rather than alongside him.
Six changes for Klopp, then, and there is also a fresh feel to the Southampton side with five changes in all from last time out. As expected, skipper Jose Fonte misses out through the injury sustained against Manchester City at the weekend, meaning a chance for summer signing Steven Caulker to show what he can do in the heart of defence.
Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic are both recalled to the starting lineup, meanwhile, which will give the Saints a real boost in attack this evening. Steven Davis is also back in the fold after starting on the bench at the Etihad Stadium in the week so, while half of the outfield team has been changed, this is a stronger-looking Southampton side in many ways.
Daniel Sturridge is handed his first start under Jurgen Klopp this evening in one of six changes, while Saints boss Ronald Koeman makes five alterations to his side.
BENCH WATCH!
SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: Gazzaniga, Yoshida, Long, Romeu, Martina, Ward-Prowse, Juanmi
LIVERPOOL SUBS: Mignolet, Smith, Milner, Benteke, Firmino, Henderson, Ibe
Shane Long is among those to drop down to the bench for Southampton on the back of the 3-1 reverse at City, while James Ward-Prowse will also be disappointed to make way. In terms of the visitors, they have a strong looking bench which includes the experienced heads of James Milner, Christian Benteke and the returning Jordan Henderson among others.
Southampton head into tonight's game aiming to turn around a sticky spell of form, which has seen them lose both of their last two games. That aforementioned loss at the home of the Premier League favourites was nothing to get too worried about, of course, but the narrow defeat to Stoke City last time out here certainly was a minor cause for concern.
The Saints find themselves exactly halfway in the Premier League at this moment in time, sitting three points off Liverpool and five adrift of Tottenham Hotspur who occupy that vacant Europa League berth. Ronald Koeman admitted in the build-up to tonight's game that this is a vital game for his side, particularly when taking into account that there are only two cups up for grabs each term.
Koeman's men enjoyed a superb season last time out, but they would no doubt have been disappointed to crash out of this competition at the quarter-final stage at the hands of Sheffield United. The chance is now there to go one better this time around and secure a place in the final four - something that they have not achieved since 1987.
As luck would have it, Southampton lost to tonight's opponents Liverpool on that occasion 28 years ago when reaching the semi-final stage. Both of these teams know full well that the draw has certainly opened up and, with the end of the competition in sight, they will surely feel confident of going all the way. A quick reminder - the draw for the semis will take place right after this game.
DID YOU KNOW? Southampton have been eliminated from this competition in just two of their last 14 home outings. Their opponents this evening have had mixed success on their travels in the League Cup, scoring exactly one goal in their last four away games - winning two and losing two of those fixtures.
Jurgen Klopp will certainly have his eyes set on lifting the cup in three months' time, in the knowledge that he can kick off his time in charge of the famous club in the best manner possible by adding silverware to the trophy cabinet. The much-heralded German boss has certainly impressed since taking over, with the recent thrashing of Man City in particular providing a standout moment.
In all, Liverpool have won seven and lost just one of their 10 games so far under Klopp. In fact, defeat to Crystal Palace and the league stalemate with Southampton aside, it has been close to perfect as far as supporters are concerned. Many expected the indifferent results to continue while the ex-Borussia Dortmund chief implemented his style on things, but the Reds' fortunes have soon been transformed.
Ronald Koeman has a chance to get one over on Jurgen Klopp this evening, having already picked up an impressive point at Anfield earlier this term.
The target for Klopp has now got to be challenging on all four fronts come the New Year - League Cup, Premier League top four, the Europa League knockout stages and also the FA Cup, which does of course get underway next month. Reaching the last 32 of Europe's secondary competition has already been crossed off, and now the chance is there to advance into the final four of the League Cup.
If reaching the semi-final of a competition wasn't enough to whet the appetite, this fixture also has an added edge to it all of a sudden due to the one-sided transfer business last summer. Two of the players who swapped St Mary's for Anfield, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren, start this evening's match. Neither have truly taken off on Merseyside yet, but the latter in particular has shown real signs of improvement since Klopp took charge.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Southampton have lost each of their last two home matches against Liverpool in all competitions, having previously won three on the bounce. Liverpool have tasted victory in three of the four League Cup ties, meanwhile, the most recent of which came in 2003 when they went all the way and won the trophy.
Both sides have had to overcome Premier League opposition to reach this stage; Southampton seeing off Aston Villa and Liverpool getting the better of Bournemouth in the last round. Prior to that, the Saints put six past MK Dons and their quarter-final opponents edged out Carlisle United on penalties.
That narrow victory over Carlisle came in the latter days of Brendan Rodgers's reign, when the final nails were just being hammered into the coffin. The mood around Anfield has vastly chanced since then, however, and now things are starting to look particularly rosy once again under the tutelage of Klopp.
With kickoff now just 10 minutes or so away, it seems like a good time to check out the pre-match thoughts of both managers.
Ronald Koeman: "It's very important because Southampton only have two opportunities to win a title - the FA Cup and the League Cup - so it's important because we want to reach the semi-finals. It's a great game to play. It's sold out and Liverpool are doing well under a new manager."
Jurgen Klopp: "The biggest fault you can make is to think about the next round. Only Southampton. They're pretty hot on this game, they've lost their last two games and they want to strike back. The quarter-finals is still far away from the final. But I'm excited and looking forward to the game."
PREDICTION! This really is a tough one to call. Unlike last night's fixtures this is far from a mismatch, and there is no real underdog with just three points separating the two sides in the Premier League table as we approach the midway stage. Liverpool have been on a good run of form, while their opponents have lost back-to-back games, but I'm going to back the Saints to claim a 2-1 win this evening.
Incidentally, Liverpool head to Newcastle United for their fixture, while host another struggling side in Aston Villa. There is no denying that attention for both managers will be on finishing inside the top six, but where will that rank in comparison to a League Cup triumph at Wembley Stadium next March? Just ask each of the home fans inside a sold-out St Mary's this evening.
Liverpool have enjoyed plenty of success in this competition, which they last won in 2012 with victory over Cardiff City at Wembley.
Both sets of players are now out on the field of play, going through the pre-match presentations before we can finally get proceedings underway. This is certainly the pick of the bunch in terms of the quarter-finals ties, and it really is a tough one to call. From a neural perspective, let's just hope for some goals"
KICKOFF! Liverpool get us underway on the South Coast, aiming to make a quick start to the contest. The draw for the next round will be made after full time, don't forget.
GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 1-0 LIVERPOOL (SADIO MANE)
A dream start to the match for Southampton, who are ahead with less than a minute on the clock. It was as simple as you like, too - a Bertrand cross into the far-post area being nodded home by a free Mane. Koeman named a strong side this evening, and that decision is already paying off!
Forty-one seconds is the official time given for that Mane header, coming after the forward had simply got ahead of Moreno and nodded home. The simplest of goals for Southampton, but play has been pretty stop-start since then.
CHANCE! In a near identical move to the opening goal, Wanyama gets a run on Joel Allen - as opposed to Moreno for the opener - before getting a solid headed attempt on target. On this occasion it was central enough for Bogdan to collect, yet the alarm bells are already ringing for Liverpool down their right flank.
YELLOW CARD! It has not been an easy night for Randall at all - and we are still just eight minutes in! That flank has clearly been targeted, with the youngster doing all he possibly can to stop Tadic getting the better of him. That means getting an arm to his opponent's face, earning a yellow card from the referee.
Some more danger for Liverpool to contend with from the resulting free kick, which Davis eventually curls well over the bar. Only one side in this match at the moment, which is reflected in the scoreline.
A terrible corner from Lallana earns him plenty of ironic cheers from the home stands. Liverpool done slightly better of the past couple of minutes to settle into the match, but Southampton are still comfortable enough.
More joy down the left for Bertrand, who swings in another delightful ball for Mane. The forward failed to connect with his volleyed attempt at the back post, though, and another half-chance goes begging for the hosts.
The first time we have really seen Liverpool truly get at their opponents ends with Origi playing a slack square ball in the direction of Sturridge. Not the greatest of attacking moves, but that does at least provide some hope for the remaining 75 minutes or so.
Far more balanced feel to the game over the past five or 10 minutes following Southampton's early dominance. It will be interesting to see whether Klopp changes things around slightly to shore up his right side, because the inexperienced Randall has clearly been targeted as the weak link.
A real scrappy period of play in the middle of the park has seen the tempo die down a little. Both teams certainly look up for the game, while supporters of Southampton and Liverpool are also making plenty of noise. A proper cup tie, this!
Still just the two shots on goal so far, both of which came inside the opening six minutes. Shortly after Mane had headed his side ahead, Wanyama almost added a second at the end of a near-identical attacking move. Liverpool still yet to test Stekelenburg with a single shot yet, with a quarter of the game now played.
Mane gets in behind the opposition defence but can't quite pick out Tadic. Up the other end, Can sends a cross straight through the box with four well-positioned teammates providing some frustrated glances in his direction.
GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 1-1 LIVERPOOL (DANIEL STURRIDGE)
Classic Daniel Sturridge! A sixth League Cup goal in nine appearances for the striker, who has marked his first start under Klopp with a key strike. Joe Allen played a fine pass into his teammate's direction, which Sturridge looked to have messed up a little with his first touch. Just when the Englishman looked to be second best to find the net, he blasted in from a slight angle to level things up.
Sadio Mane celebrates opening the scoring for Southampton inside the opening 60 seconds. Daniel Sturridge levelled things up with his angled drive to leave this tie delicately poised at 1-1.
GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 1-2 LIVERPOOL (DANIEL STURRIDGE)
Truly devastating from Daniel Sturridge, who has just made it two goals in a little over two minutes. Emre Can was the provider this time, sending in a fine lofted pass for the returning forward to simply fire past Stekelenburg first time.
Tadic passes the ball into the arm of Randall, which he felt should have resulted in a penalty being awarded. The referee correctly waved away the appeals, though, meaning that Southampton's frustrations continue. They need to find their shape again following a real tough spell in this game.
Six goals in five games for Sturridge now in this competition. He may be extremely injury prone but, perhaps Sergio Aguero aside, it is difficult to find a better finisher of the ball anywhere in the Premier League. Liverpool are now well on top, going in search of a third prior to the break.
Southampton trying their best to wrestle control of the game once more. The Saints have managed to get a few crosses into the box over the past couple of minutes, but their chances really have been restricted ever since Wanyama headed straight at Mignolet six minutes in.
Probably the flattest spell of the game, which will probably suit Liverpool more than their opponents as we approach the interval. Can is perhaps a little luck to avoid seeing a yellow card after flying in to a rather needless challenge.
Moreno takes an elbow to the face, forcing the referee to half play. There was absolutely no intention from Tadic, other than getting some leverage to push himself forward. Play will resume, but that has certainly upset home supporters.
Tadic is furious to see a decision go against his side, claiming that Southampton should have been awarded a corner following Moreno's alleged touch on the ball. Some real spice has been added to the game over these past few minutes, yet the goalmouth action has certainly faded away.
Liverpool win a free kick around 27 yards from goal. Can and Sturridge stand over the ball, with the latter taking it on and curling one well over the bar with his left foot. It has been a good full return to action for Sturridge thanks to those two earlier strikes.
Half a chance for Liverpool to extend their lead, as Sturridge lays off Randall inside the box. The youngster eventually turns and get a shot away, which deflects over the bar for a corner.
GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 1-3 LIVERPOOL (ALBERTO MORENO)
From the resulting corner, the ball makes its way to Moreno around 20 yards out. The full-back only had one thing in his mind, firing one in that may have taken the smallest of deflections off Origi on its way through. Stekelenburg felt that the Belgian forward was offside, and thus interfering with play, but replays show that he was indeed onside. Moreno's goal, regardless.
Liverpool really knocking on the door for a fourth now, marking what has been a superb turnaround. Southampton desperate for the half-time whistle, which is now just seconds away.
HALF TIME: SOUTHAMPTON 1-3 LIVERPOOL
An incredible turnaround from Liverpool sees them 3-1 up at the break. From one down to two goals up in the space of 45 minutes, this has been another fine attacking display away from home by the Reds so far.
Things could not have started any better for Southampton, who found themselves ahead with 41 seconds on the clock at St Mary's. The goal was as simple as you like, with Bertrand simply swinging the ball towards the back post for Mane to nod past a helpless Bogdan. Moreno was beaten far too easily on that occasion, but he would get his revenge later in the half.
The Saints probably should have doubled their advantage just a few minutes later when, in a mirror image, a cross from the left was met towards the back post by Wanyama. This time the header was more central and thus far easier for Bogdan to handle. That would prove to be the home side's only other chance of the half, though, as Liverpool well and truly took control.
Three shots on target and three goals, all in the space of 20 first-half minutes. The first came via the returning Sturridge, who just about took Allen's pass under control before composing himself and lashing the ball beyond Stekelenburg. Three minutes later he doubled his own person tally for the evening when this time getting on the end of a lofted Moreno assist and finishing with aplomb.
There was more to come for Liverpool, too, with Moreno - at fault to an extend for the Southampton opener - firing home from the edge of the box to put some breathing space between the two sides. It has been a strange half in many ways with three of the only four real attempts thus far being converted. Still plenty to play for in this second half, then, which is now just a few minutes away.
Southampton may have named a strong starting lineup, but Liverpool certainly have plenty of adequate replacements to call upon should they wish. As it is, the home side are the ones having to do all the chasing following the restart.
BENCH WATCH!
SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: Gazzaniga, Yoshida, Long, Romeu, Martina, Ward-Prowse, Juanmi
LIVERPOOL SUBS: Mignolet, Smith, Milner, Benteke, Firmino, Henderson, Ibe
RESTART! Southampton get us back underway on the South Coast, aiming to make up this two-goal deficit. Can they make a similar start to this half as the one witnessed in the first?
A cross from the left is just about out of Pelle's reach. Wanyama looks to have formed part of the Saints' backline early in this second half, which will allow Bertrand and Soares more freedom to push high up the pitch.
SHOT! Tadic plays a pass over the top for Pelle to race on to. The forward got to the ball ahead of Skrtel, but it was a really difficult opening and he could only flick a rather tame effort on goal in the end, which Bogdan easily collected.
Some sustained Southampton pressure puts the visitors under some real pressure, but they remain resilient enough to see things through. The Saints desperately needed a positive start to the half to get supporters back on their side, which they have done to an extent.
Liverpool back on top, knocking the ball around well in midfield. That can be expected when you have Can, Allen and Lucas sitting in deep roles. Lallana has just taken a shot on from 25 yards, perhaps inspired by those travelling fans chanting his name, but he blasts well wide in the end.
Klopp will be delighted with the way the last five minutes or so have panned out. Southampton were on top, closing in on a second goal, but since Pelle's shot it has been pretty flat. Mane was played in a few moments ago, only for his strike to be blocked away by a couple of players.
Moreno's had a mixed night so far - allowing Mane to get ahead of his far too easily for the game's opening goal, before rifling home a fine goal for his side late in the first half. His weak pass almost allowed the Saints in, but he just about recovered in the end.
LIVERPOOL SUB! A logical sub, this, as Sturridge leaves the field of play just short of the hour mark. Jordon Ibe is on in his place, so there will be a little shuffle of the pack with Origi presumably moving more central.
Southampton really need a goal if they are to truly worry their opponents. Plenty of noise coming from the away section at the moment, with those supporters sensing that they will be in the draw in around an hour's time.
SOUTHAMPTON SUBS! I was wondering when Koeman would make a change or two, and I've now been given my answer. Shane Long and James Ward-Prowse are on in place of Clasie and Cedric, with Long heading narrowly wide just moments after being introduced.
Daniel Sturridge has been the difference so far this evening, scoring two of Liverpool's three goals. Southampton have 25 minutes to get themselves back into this contest.
YELLOW CARD! Emre Can is issued a yellow card for a niggling challenge, which means that he will miss the trip to Newcastle United at the weekend. Van Dijk smashes the resulting free kick into the Liverpool wall.
GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 1-4 LIVERPOOL (DIVOCK ORIGI)
Manchester City, Everton, Stoke City and now Liverpool. The lineup for the semi-final stage of this year's competition has finally been decided, thanks to a real rocket from Origi - his first Liverpool goal. The Belgian has been on the periphery of things, in truth, but once played through by Ibe he simply thumped the ball beyond Stekelenburg from 10 yards out.
GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 1-5 LIVERPOOL (JORDON IBE)
It's five for Liverpool, with Ibe now joining the party a few minutes after bagging an assist. This was a move that oozed confidence from each player involved; Moreno eventually pulling it back to his teammate on the edge of the box to chest down and rifle home. Another rocket!
LIVERPOOL SUB! Jordan Henderson was waiting to come on in the build-up to that fifth goal, but he is now finally introduced in place of Joe Allen. Another memorable night for Liverpool, who could still get a sixth in the remaining time.
SUBS! Brad Smith is now given another first-team runout in place of Alberto Moreno. Oriol Romeu replaces Steven Davis for the home side, who now perhaps have an eye on their weekend fixture.
I mentioned how clinical Liverpool had been in the first half, well that has now extended into this second period. Five shots on target and five goals to show for their efforts. They certainly know how to find the net on their travels, with this following up the four scored at Man City and the three at Chelsea.
It's been a particularly tough evening for Caulker, who has been given a rare outing in the heart of defence. Southampton supporters will be hoping that Jose Fonte is quickly back to full fitness, as Ward-Prowse swings in a cross for Bogdan to collect here.
Arguably Southampton's bets spell of the second half ends with Long frustratingly sending a scuffed shot wide of the target. St Mary's is emptying very quickly at the moment, on a night that those escaping home fans will hope to forget.
Origi has a spring in his step thanks to that earlier goal, working some space on the edge of the box and getting a shot away which is blocked away. The Reds have not particularly looked like adding to their tally since going five ahead, but that could all change as they come forward again.
SOUTHAMPTON 1-6 LIVERPOOL (DIVOCK ORIGI)
Well I did say Origi had a spring in his step! The Belgian forward couldn't really miss with his headed attempt after being picked out by substitute Brad Smith, who sent in possibly the cross of the night from out on the left. Origi may now claim the hat-trick, having got a touch to Moreno's early goal.
Back to the drawing board for Ronald Koeman, then. The Dutchman will be really deflated following this heavy defeat, not just for the manner in which his side have crumbled, but also because there is one less trophy for him to now aim for. For Liverpool, on the other hand, the only way really is up under Klopp.
Just the two minutes added on at the end of this second half, with the referee seemingly wanting to put the hosts out of their misery.
SAVE! A late save for Stekelenburg to make, as he pushes aside Emre Can's drive. Really poor defending from the Saints to allow the Liverpool midfielder the space to even get a shot away.
FULL TIME: SOUTHAMPTON 1-6 LIVERPOOL
Full time on the South Coasts, and it's smiles all around on the Liverpool bench. The resurgence under Jurgen Klopp continues, with six goals being fired past Southampton this evening. The Saints led at one stage, remember, but that early Mane goal seems like a lifetime ago now.
So it's Liverpool who will be joining Manchester City, Everton and Stoke City in a semi-final draw that has a distinctly northern feel to it. That draw will take place in the next 20 minutes or so, the outcome of which you can follow right here on Sports Mole.
That concludes our live text coverage from events at St Mary's, but be sure to stick around for the outcome of the semi-final draw, which is scheduled to take place within the next 20 minutes or so. Thanks for joining!
