Capital One Cup: Rampant Reds hit Saints for six to reach semis

It was almost too easy for the hosts, as unpressed fullback Ryan Bertrand, no doubt increasing calls for an England call-up, whipped in a curling cross which was met bullishly by Mane, who beat Alberto Moreno in the air to notch an excellent opener.

Minutes later, it could have been much worse for Klopp and co as, in an almost identical move, Dusan Tadic dangerously swept in a cracking cross, though this time midfield engine Victor Wanyama could not ripple the net.

Having surged to a fine start, the south coasters did not let up, as Tadic’s twists and turns continued to give young defender Connor Randall a torrid time down the right, while mischievous Mane continued to show his threat in fearsome flashes, with two more strikes from him deflected wide.

On this exciting evidence, it is clear just what the pressing, pacy and potent forward could add to apparent admirers Manchester United’s ranks, but Saints would be much better off clinging onto the exuberant attacker than cashing a cheque.

Sturridge makes case for starting berth

It took the Reds 25 minutes to reply, but respond they did, through dangerman Sturridge. Joe Allen’s probing pass, as the Welshman wandered in acres of space, found the England striker in over-committed Saints’ area.

From a wide position and tight angle it was then up to the recently returned striker to give Klopp something to cheer, and think about, as he danced devilishly in the box before dispatching decisively. Though, he was not done yet.

If the first could be excused as a sloppy moment and attributed to Sturridge’s excellence, the second was disappointing from a defensive point of view for the hosts, as they gifted away their early lead.

Emre Can was the pinpoint playmaker this time, picking out Sturridge perfectly from deep, completely bypassing the Southampton backline, and the unmarked sharpshooter slotted home slickly for his second. Though, stopper Maarten Stekelenberg was too easily beaten, for the second time in four minutes.

A potential hat-trick also almost came off, though the forward’s swinging set-piece was off-target. Encouragingly for Klopp, however, Sturridge did show promising link-up play with young Belgian striker Divock Origi.

It was eventually Moreno who made amends for Mane’s opener, by creating Liverpool’s third. A scramble from a corner was hooked out of the box, but fell fortunately to the Spaniard, who drilled in deliciously from the edge of the area just before the break.

Though, despite the ferociousness of that shot, later replays showed Origi may have just taken a decisive touch, with the goal eventually awarded to the Belgian, technically his first Reds goal.

Origi and Ibe seal the deal

Southampton did show signs of revival in the second-half, with Mane once again almost the source of magic. A relatively quiet Graziano Pelle returned a pass from his electric clubmate to slide the Senegal star through on goal, but the subsequent shot was blocked.

Talented Tadic also popped another delightful ball into the Reds’ box, though substitute Shane Long could not convert, but gave a taste of his aerial threat.

While, Sturridge was denied hopes of hat-trick, as Klopp hauled the injury-prone attacker off, perhaps with thoughts of Newcastle United up next, and Jordan Ibe trotted on as an eager replacement.

The fledgling winger split Southampton wide open with a lovely low pass, allowing energetic Orgi to bag his first proper goal in Liverpool colours, with a thumping finish into the top of the net.

To make it a fantastic night for the Merseysiders, Ibe then switched from provider to poacher, after chesting down Moreno’s cross to lash a fifth lethally past a demoralised Southampton. While, as the cherry on the cake, should his first stand, Origi headed past Stekelenberg to complete what would be a perfect hat-trick.

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