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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 11/01/2017 23:32:40
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| Liverpool’s attempt to burn Southampton backfires when team misspells SouthamptonFOXSPORTS |
|| West Ham make a £4M move for veteran defender but will face competition from two of their Premier League counterpartsCAUGHTOFFSIDE |
|| Daniel Sturridge Starts – Liverpool Team vs Southampton ConfirmedINSIDEFUTBOLCOM |
|| Confirmed Team News: Southampton vs Liverpool lineups | Off The PostOFFTHEPOST |
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Liverpool REALLY wound up Southampton with pre-game EFL Cup semi-final tweet
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Everyone knows that Liverpool have made a habit of taking players from Southampton in recent seasons.
In the last few years, no fewer than FIVE players - Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne and Sadio Mane - made the switch from the south coast to Anfield, with all but Lambert still there now.
It has created a kind a weird modern rivalry between the clubs, which makes the fact that they are facing one another in the EFL Cup semi-final all the more intriguing.
And it seems as though the Reds have no qualms ramping up the ill-feeling.
Because their pre-match tweet advertising their game against the Saints seemed to poke a more than a little fun at them.
Liverpool invite artists to come up with concepts for the pre-match tweet, and the one they picked from @ED_Illustration is certainly impressive.
But not only does it feature all four of the ex-Saints currently on the books at the club, it also spells Southampton incorrectly as “Southhampton.”
Shots fired? Perhaps. But you’d think they’d know how to spell the Saints’ name by now.
It must surely be on the all the receipts?
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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 12/01/2017 00:32:54
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...tenuously instigated by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!| Tottenham news: Pochettino calls Rodriguez after displayFOOTBALLINSIDER |
| | West Ham transfer news: Club submit £4m bid for FonteFOOTBALLINSIDER |
| | Liverpool team news: Fans react to Lucas starting against SouthamptonFOOTBALLINSIDER |
| | CONFIRMED LINEUPS - Southampton vs Liverpool EFL Cup Semi Final (1st Leg)ADIFFERENTLEAGUE |
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Southampton 1-0 Liverpool PLAYER RATINGS: Karius keeps Reds in the tie
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Southampton grabbed a slender advantage in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final on Wednesday night.
A gaffe by Ragnar Klavan allowed Nathan Redmond to score the only goal in the 20th minute on Wednesday night.
Here, Sportsmail runs the rule over the performances of both sets of players.
Smart save from Firmino’s snapshot in the first half and took control over his box at set-piece openings.
Tough night in trying to shut down the elusive Lallana. Often found himself forced deep but handled task well.
In for transfer-seeking Jose Fonte, barely put a foot wrong and kept a close watch on runners into the box.
Commanding at the back and dominated against Sturridge. The sort of performance that will prick the ears of the top teams again.
Impressive presence going forwards and backwards on the left flank as Firmino struggled to find a way through.
Part of a midfield trio that offered real bite, nipping away at Liverpool heels and making things difficult for the visitors.
Excellent work as a stopper in front of the back four, sitting deep when his team-mates did and pressing when necessary.
Let his team’s front three do their own thing and instead got stuck into the midfield battle where Liverpool had no room to breathe.
A real outlet coming in from both wings and took his goal very well, could have had three more with better finishes.
Isolated a lot of the time but was unselfish when he needed to be to set up Redmond’s goal.
His cultured touch offers a lot for Southampton but perhaps not best suited to their game on the night.
SUBS: Hojbejrg (for Clasie, 74mins, 6.5), Long (for Rodriguez, 81mins), Ward-Prowse (for Davis, 82mins).
Had his team dropping deep from the start but it seemed to work and they were still able to create.
Kept Liverpool in it in the first half with two smart saves from Redmond. Generally assured and sharp in an upgrade on easy-season issues.
Had to be strong as Tadic and Redmond swapped sides and allowed little joy for the Saints wide men.
Booed on his return to St Mary’s and alongside Klavan he gave Liverpool a soft centre for the hosts to exploit.
Dropped a clanger with bad miscue to let Rodriguez through to set up Redmond for the opener which handed Saint the initiative.
Still looks a class act out of position but with so much attacking required Liverpool maybe could have done with a natural left back.
Too often a bit-part player in the midfield contests. Still yet to offer up a goal away from home in 18 months in England.
Showed off ability to spray around passes from the start but no sign of a killer ball to cut through Southampton.
Often seemed to take a touch too many but he opened up Southampton for Liverpool’s only real chance of the game.
Great link-up in attack, piecing together Liverpool’s attacks only to be let down by team-mates in the final third.
Never looked like adding to his four EFL Cup goals. Movement lacking, rarely showed for the ball and offered next-to-no spark.
Seemed to lack confidence in possession but always willing to open himself up for passes but no cutting edge.
Team seemed to lack shape from the start and Coutinho couldn’t fix it.
Fairly controversy-free night for the official who let the game flow well.
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FA Youth Cup Report: Wigan 1-2 Saints
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Saints went behind to an early Tom Powell strike at the DW Stadium, but fought back to equalise through striker Jonathan Afolabi.
Adam Parkes then denied Shane Donaghey from the penalty spot to ensure the tie remained level at the break, before substitute Michael Obafemi tucked in the match-winner with just 15 minutes remaining.
Having almost taken the lead through a Jamie Cotter head in the opening exchanges, the hosts did eventually have the ball in the net after nine minutes.
The Latics’ top goalscorer Powell latched onto a long ball over the top from goalkeeper Theo Roberts and tucked the ball under Parkes from an acute angle to break the deadlock.
Despite going behind, Saints were not prepared to lie down. Yan Valery’s surging run almost provided an immediate way back into the encounter, but the Frenchman’s shot from the edge of the area was straight at Roberts in the Wigan goal.
Craig Fleming’s men did eventually pull level on the 21st minute. Tireless work from Tyreke Johnson down the left flank resulted in the forward crossing for Afolabi, who turned in the penalty area and hammered home from close range.
The key moment in the game came just ten minutes later. Siph Mdlalose was penalised for a clumsy tackle on Matthew Taylor in the penalty area and referee Peter Gibbons pointed to the spot.
Donaghey stepped up confidently for the hosts, but Parkes did superbly well to get down low to his left and save the midfielder’s spot-kick and keep the scores level going into the break.
Wigan started the second half brightly and created an early chance to reclaim the lead. Luke Burgess slipped in Callum Lang who fired from the right of the penalty area, but Parkes did well to close the angle and beat the shot away at his near post.
On the hour mark the hosts had the ball in net once more. Aaron O’Driscoll’s looped header from Anthony Plant’s cross eluded Parkes and dropped into his own net, but was called back immediately by referee Gibbons who had spotted a foul on the Saints goalkeeper.
With 15 minutes remaining Craig Fleming made his first change of the evening, as Michael Obafemi replaced Afolabi up top.
And it did not take the striker long to make an impact. Having won the ball back inside the Wigan penalty area Johnson crossed low towards the near post, and Obafemi finished neatly passed Roberts to give Saints the lead.
The hosts continued to throw all they could at Saints in the closing minutes to take the tie into extra-time, but Fleming’s men held firm to secure safe passage into the next round of the competition.
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5 things we learned from Southampton 1-0 Liverpool
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Nathan Redmond hit the winner as Southampton took a shock lead in their EFL Cup semi-final at home to Liverpool.
The Saints winner netted in the 20th minute to inflict only the third defeat of the season for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
But Claude Puel’s side blew a string of chances to put the tie beyond Liverpool’s reach with Redmond and Cedric Soares both poor in front of goal.
The victory for the Saints was only their first in five matches after a run of three defeats and a draw from their last four games. The two sides will meet again in second leg at Anfield on January 26.
Southampton’s players will have a few despite an impressive first-leg performance.
Nathan Redmond did superbly to open the scoring from Jay Rodriguez’s clever assist. But Redmond will rue the
chances late in the both halves from which he should have given Loris Karius no chance, but didn’t.
Only Cedric Soares will know why he didn’t square the ball for Rodriguez deep into the second half with the England striker in the six-yard box and poised to strike. This was a rare occasion on which lack-lustre Liverpool were there for the taking. Southampton could live to regret not taking their chance.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side have ripped it up in the Premier League this season, launching a shock title challenge. They have reached the Final of this competition and the Europa League over the past 12 months or so. Surely we can cut them a bit of slack after night on which they simply failed to shine.
It may owe a lot to Southampton’s discipline. Although had the Saints been more clinical in front of goal it could have been worse.
It looked a risky decision from the Southampton boss to leave out one of his best defenders.
Everton and West Ham may be interested but, unless a deal has already been agreed with any particular club - Puel maintained on Monday that that is not the case - Fonte should, in theory, have been in the starting line-up.
The critics were wrong, however, and Puel was proved right. Southampton were solid and organised, restricting the Reds to just two shots on target. Maybe the world might not come to an end if their club captain moves on this month.
Liverpool’s tame display here can only bode well for Sunday’s titanic clash at Manchester United.
There is no way that Jurgen Klopp will want to see anything like this when his men go to Old Trafford this weekend. He was impassive on the touchline as his men laboured and his defence let him down yet again. Not only for the goal but on the many occasions that the Saints carved out openings.
Klopp will surely make his point to his players that he wants a response in their hunt for the title. What better match too, to get that response - against Jose Mourinho’s resurgent side.
The Brazilian provided a glimmer of optimism with his late introduction. His first return since November saw him running at defenders and having a dip with his side needing a lift.
Daniel Sturridge disappointed. So too did the likes of Roberto Firmino. Liverpool have needed Coutinho’s x-factor and Klopp will be hoping he is able to provide it with a decisive impact for Sunday’s showdown against United.
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Nathan Redmond strike hands Southampton slim first-leg advantage
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If Liverpool want the first trophy of the Jurgen Klopp era soon they will have to play better than this. This League Cup semi-final leg at Southampton should have put them one step towards Wembley but they blew it, barely showing up and getting lucky that they were only beaten 1-0 by Southampton.
There is a second leg to play at Anfield on 25 January and Klopp’s team are still in with a puncher’s chance of making the final. But this was a huge failing, a dismal no-show, as they could not summon any of the intensity, speed or imagination that has made them such a threat in the Premier League this year.
Southampton have had an awful time recently, with three straight league defeats, un-enterprising football and fans starting to grow tired of Claude Puel. This was their first semi-final since 2003, and defeat might have turned the crowd against him. But Puel and the players rose to the occasion. Southampton looked far more motivated than Liverpool, and played with more energy and efficiency. They set about Liverpool on the break, turning Klopp’s gameplan back on his own team.
From the very start it was clear Liverpool could not cope with Saints’ surgical attacks. Nathan Redmond scored the only goal after 20 minutes but he could have scored a first-half hat-trick, and had another just before the end.
It was Loris Karius, of all people, who kept Liverpool in the game. Defensive permeability is not a new problem for Liverpool but what is troubling is how poor they were going forward. They created almost nothing all match. Roberto Firmino forced an early but easy save from Fraser Forster and there was nothing else. All the usual speed and ruthlessness was gone.
It is a fair point to say that Liverpool did not have all of their best players available. Sadio Mane is at the African Cup of Nations, Jordan Henderson had a heel injury and Philippe Coutinho, out for seven weeks with an ankle injury, made his return with 30 minutes left of this game. Without those three Liverpool had no speed to their game, no invention, and were unusually easy to stop. Virgil van Dijk and Maya Yoshida played very well for Saints at centre-back but it should not have been as simple as this.
With no Henderson, Liverpool had Lucas Leiva and Emre Can in the middle of midfield. They were trundlingly slow in a way that Klopp teams are never meant to be. They were slow getting forward and, somehow, vulnerable to the counter-attack, truly the worst of both worlds.
This non-performance raises serious questions about Liverpool’s trip to Old Trafford to face a resurgent Manchester United on Sunday. Earlier on the season that would look like an easy Liverpool win but if they play anything like this then Jose Mourinho’s team will be too strong for them. The kindest thing that can be said about this display was that the players were conserving energy for Sunday but the fact is that it was only Saints’ profligate finishing that stopped them from winning 4-0.
After Liverpool dominated the first 15 minutes, the rest of the game was all about Saints. They broke so well it should have been taken as a warning. Cedric Soares crossed from the right, Nathan Redmond found space at the far post and should have scored. Loris Karius reacted fast enough to keep it out.
One minute later, Saints had their lead, after another lightning break that left Liverpool dreadfully exposed as they tried to play an off-side trap. Dusan Tadic played a forward pass and Ragnar Klavan could not adjust his feet to clear it. The ball went through to Jay Rodriguez who teed up Redmond. This time he made no mistake and put Saints ahead.
Just before the break Saints cut Liverpool open one more time. Ryan Bertrand found Dusan Tadic, who darted in a clever low cross. Again, Redmond picked it up, but from close range he could not beat Karius. He might have had a hat-trick, but only had one, and Saints were just 1-0 up at the break.
Liverpool marginally improved in the second half, especially when they threw on Coutinho, but never enough to make anything like a real chance. Redmond continued to terrorise them on the break. He put through Cedric, who shot into the side-netting when he should have crossed. Then, eight minutes from the end, Redmond got into the end of Shane Long’s cross, chipping Karius, only for Dejan Lovren to block it on the line.
Southampton, ultimately, should have won this game by four or five. There was no real siege, no real fight from Liverpool, and despite the score line it is the winners who left with as many regrets as the losers.
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Southampton 1-0 Liverpool - SIX THINGS WE LEARNED
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Southampton beat Liverpool 1-0 at St Mary’s on Wednesday night thanks to Nathan Redmond’s first half strike.
The EFL Cup second leg clash takes place at Anfield on January 25 and Jurgen Klopp will be hoping that his team perform much better come the end of the month.
Sportsmail’s Sam Cunningham picks out the six key factors from the game.
There was a nice moment in the 20th minute as the crowd rose to their feet for a 60-second applause in tribute of Southampton fan Jack Dowding who died suddenly on Saturday morning. The student was only 20-years-old but had Type 1 Diabetes and suffered complications with his illness. His friends started the #20Mclapforjack social media campaign and Southampton also asked fans to show their support at the game. Speaking before the match, Jack’s father Laurence said: ‘Jack was a son that every parent could wish for — he was so kind and generous.’
Nathan Redmond — scorer of the Southampton’s opening goal — could have ended up playing for Liverpool. The winger-turned-striker was subject to interest from the Anfield giants, along with Newcastle and Saints, in 2015, but he opted to stay at Norwich at the time in order to guarantee the game time required for his development. A year later Southampton signed him for £10m following Norwich’s relegation. He was brought in a week before Claude Puel arrived at the club, but the Frenchman has been a huge fan and even likened him to Thierry Henry, although that was his first goal in 15 games.
WHAT WAS MORE VULGAR?
It was hard to tell what was more vulgar, Southampton rewriting the words to Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ and playing it before kick-off, sung by someone who sounded a little bit like Sinatra, or Liverpool’s ‘toxic and thunder’ (as described by the club) neon lime green third kit. Southampton’s fans were on their feet before the match, but there seemed to be little uptake in singing along to a new tune which has emerged in the last few home games. Presumably, Liverpool’s second strip, fully black, clashed with Southampton’s shorts, hence them flitting around like a group of fireflies.
Daniel Sturridge turned messenger boy in the final 15 minutes in an unorthodox piece of management by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. During a quick break in play as Jordy Clasie left the field, Sturridge was handed a sheet of paper on the touchline and instructed to deliver it to some of his team-mates. Sturridge hared it all the way down the pitch to Dejan Lovren to show the centre-back, then had to sprint to find Adam Lallana to show him, too, before returning to his place up front and chucking it away.
History does not bode well for Southampton going into the second leg, despite the result. Liverpool have become something of a bogey team for them in the League Cup. The Merseysiders have eliminated them in four of the last five EFL Cup ties between the pair. One of those was the last time Saints reached the competition’s last four, 30 years ago, when Liverpool defeated them 3-0 over two legs. Liverpool beat them in the third round in 1971 and 2002 and hammered them 6-1 in the quarter-finals of last year’s tournament. Southampton’s victory came in 1999, when they won 2-1.
Southampton have sold almost £100million-worth of talent to Liverpool since they joined the Premier League in 2012. Rickie Lambert (£4m), Adam Lallana (£25m) and Dejan Lovren (£20m) switched sides in 2014, Nathaniel Clyne (£12.5m) in 2015 and Sadio Mane (£34m) became the latest last summer. Virgil Van Dijk and Sam McQueen have been reportedly on Jurgen Klopp’s radar which could see the close transfer bond between the two clubs continuing next summer. Rarely does one club sell so many of their players to another. One Liverpool fan described Southampton to Sportsmail as their ‘feeder club’.
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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 12/01/2017 01:33:13
| | Southampton 1, Liverpool 0: First ThoughtsSBNATIONTHELIVERPOOLOFFSIDE |
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| | How Southampton fans reacted to their 1-0 win against Liverpool | Outside90OUTSIDE90 |
| | Southampton vs Liverpool starting teams: Coutinho returns from injury as neither manager pulls any punchesCAUGHTOFFSIDE |
| | Rumour Mill: Gunners stars in demand; Chelsea eye £6m Dane - TEAMtalk | Latest Football News & Transfer RumoursTEAMTALK |
|| (Video) Nasty Klavan error sees Liverpool concede early v SouthamptonEMPIREOFTHEKOP |
| | Calamity Klavan: Liverpool fans livid as Ragnar costs Reds at Southampton [Tweets] | 101 Great Goals 101GREATGOALS |
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Seven things you missed from Southampton’s EFL Cup win over Liverpool
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Southampton took one giant step towards Wembley with a spirited display in their 1-0 win over Liverpool in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final at St Mary’s.
Nathan Redmond’s early goal was enough to seal the victory for Claude Puel’s side, as Jurgen Klopp suffered a rare defeat.
It’s difficult to keep track of everything that happened in a frantic 90 minutes on the south coast, so Sportsmail have put them all in one place for your enjoyment…
Into the final 20 minutes, with his side struggling to break down a resolute defence, Jurgen Klopp went for the jugular and produced… a piece of paper.
Daniel Sturridge wondered over to the touchline to receive the written instructions from the Liverpool bench, and with the game carrying on around him, the striker brought it onto the pitch with him.
He tried to show it to Adam Lallana, who shrugged him off, before waving it in the direction of Dejan Lovren.
He ran around with the piece of paper in his hands, glancing to note down the instructions every now and then, before chucking it on the side of the pitch. Message received and understood? Who knows.
Speaking about the incident after the game, Klopp said: 'Maybe it was a little bit too late. We gave the paper when the game was already running again, that was our mistake.
‘That’s not about being frustrated. That’s about thinking you have chance, that’ s all.
'What type of guy would I be if I sit outside if we play well I think I’m a wonderful manager?
‘That’s not like this, we tried to help, we thought it makes sense to have real wingers, high, make it more difficult for them to defend the wing.’
Jurgen Klopp would be forgiven for thundering into the away dressing room and laying into his players after the final whistle blew and consigned his side to defeat.
Just a third defeat of the season for Liverpool, all have come away from home, and all while wearing their ‘Toxic Thunder’ third kit.
Away at Burnley in August, at Bournemouth in December and now at St Mary’s. Sure they’ve won at Crystal Palace and at Middlesbrough wearing this garish green strip, but when you’ve lost only three times in 26 games - each time in the same strip - a pattern emerges.
As the teams made their way onto the pitch the home fans gave a rendition of their new song - ‘The Southampton Way’ - their fresh take on the Frank Sinatra classic ‘My Way’.
As Sportsmail’s Sam Cunningham noted at the time, ‘it is as cringeworthy as it sounds’ and had supporters on their feet while it was played before kick-off.
Jose Fonte, Shane Long, Ryan Bertrand and Kelvin Davis all helped in writing the lyrics to the new song, which was recorded last month.
Sportsmail have had a listen, via the club website, and can back up Sam’s initial assessment.
'And now, the Saints are here, we play as one, we rise together. March on, in red and white, that’s how we fight, to be better. A club, that’s built on faith, we travel each and every highway, but more, much more than this, we did it our way.
‘If in dark times I think you knew that Markus Liebherr pulled us us through, it’s not just the name it’s who we are, we are the Saints, it’s who we are. We’ll never stop til we reach the top, we are Southampton.’
He’s Claude Puel’s man, he’s better than Jaap Stam, we’ve got Virgil van Dijk
It’s a chant that has spread across the footballing landscape. To the tune of Billy Ray Cyrus’s Achy Breaky Heart, the terrace anthem swept Euro 2016 as fans yearned to stay in France and not be taken home.
Last season it crept into the songsheet of West Ham, Tottenham and Arsenal fans as they extolled the virtues of Dimitri Payet, Dele Alli and Mesut Ozil. All of them are better than Zinedine Zidane, apparently.
But Virgil van Dijk, you see, he’s better than countryman and current Reading boss Jaap Stam. That’s the same Stam who won the treble with Manchester United and won 67 caps for Holland.
Virgil’s got same way to go still, but he’s on the right path.
Paul Pogba, Stormzy… Jesse Lingard. The dab is the dance move that has become a go-to celebration for many of football’s brightest stars.
It’s seeping through into other sports too, as Australian batsman Usman Khawaja shocked the world of Test cricket when he dabbed upon reaching a half-century against Pakistan last week.
Like any cultural phenomenon it’s the kids who are influenced the most. Take the Liverpool mascot in the tunnel who caught one glimpse of the cameras and reached into his back catalogue.
Unfortunately, he’s looking at the camera instead of the other way, and instead of nestled into his armpit he’s got his head pressed into his hand.
James Milner isn’t impressed, and neither are Sportsmail. 3/10.
Pressed into the corner flag, desperate for a goal, James Milner improvised as he lost balance under the challenge of Cedric Soares.
As he weaved around the right back attempting to find some space, only to turn around and head back the other way the Liverpool vice captain eventually slipped.
As he slips the ball knocks into his outstretched arm on the ground. Instinctively, and immediately, he sticks his head straight into the ball, nudges it forwards into space and gets back on his feet.
The referee’s not seen it, and the left back finds a team mate in space. Mission accomplished.
Nathan Redmond has been one of Southampton’s better performers this season, and to many a mind their best signing of the summer.
His pace and energy have been a key factor in the way they play and how Claude Puel has taken them on since Ronald Koeman’s departure.
But his winning strike on Wednesday night was his first goal in 15 games for the club. Since October 23 in fact.
The Saints also kept another clean sheet, their fourth in succession in the EFL Cup this season. Indeed the last man to score against them in the League Cup… was Divock Origi, when Liverpool won at St Mary’s 6-1 last December.
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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 12/01/2017 01:59:51
| | Player ratings as Southampton beat Liverpool in the EFL CupSUNDAYWORLD |
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| | Three things we learned: Southampton’s win vs. LiverpoolNBCSPORTS |
|| Southampton And West Brom Receive Boost In Chase For Napoli HitmanINSIDEFUTBOLCOM |
|| Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk “bullied” Liverpool striker Daniel SturridgeSQUAWKA |
| | Ratings - Can suffers shocker but ‘simple’ Lucas nets an 8GOLIVERPOOL |
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Southampton 1-0 Liverpool: Redmond gives Saints semi-final edge
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Southampton head to Liverpool in the driving seat after Nathan Redmond’s strike secured a narrow victory in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg.
Jurgen Klopp’s men finished runners-up in the competition last season and return to Anfield needing to overturn a 1-0 loss to the side they have raided for key players in recent years.
Redmond’s first-half strike was the difference at a packed-out St Mary’s, bringing a timely end to Southampton’s four-match winless run in all competitions on their first appearance in the last four of a major competition since 2003.
Claude Puel’s men rallied manfully after a sluggish start against the side second in the Premier League, with Redmond capitalising on Ragnar Klavan’s mistake to coolly slot home.
Unfortunately for Saints the England Under-21 international did not show the same cutting edge with his two other first-half opportunities, while Cedric’s decision to shoot rather than cross after the break may return to haunt them.
Redmond saw an effort hit the underside of the bar as the hosts attempted to add a deserved second, but they will have to make do with just a one-goal advantage in the return leg at Anfield on January 25.
Southampton looked to be in for a bleak evening as they struggled in the opening stages, defending deeply and struggling to find an attacking outlet.
Liverpool were exposing the full-backs with ease as Puel’s team started nervily, but Fraser Forster denied Roberto Firmino when the visitors eventually managed to turn that dominance into a clear-cut chance.
Jay Rodriguez was looking overwhelmed as Saints’ focal point yet there was a flash of life in the 19th minute as Redmond collected a cross from the right and got away a shot that Loris Karius smothered well.
Redmond was caught out by the goalkeeper’s reactions, but made amends within a minute as Klavan’s inability to deal with a simple ball forwards cost his side.
Rodriguez was alert to capitalise on the hashed clearance, beating former team-mate Dejan Lovren with a deft pass to put Redmond through and this time the 22-year-old did not falter, keeping his composure to direct past Karius.
That sucker punch after such a comfortable start threw Liverpool off kilter, failing to attack with any intensity before half-time.
Southampton instead ended the opening period on top. Jordy Clasie saw an audacious attempt comfortably dealt with by Karius, who was a match for Redmond’s close-range effort after collecting a Dusan Tadic cross just before the break.
The Serbian, signed as Adam Lallana’s replacement in 2014, saw a threatening cross-shot cleared soon after play resumed, with Southampton pressing well and frustrating the Reds.
Daniel Sturridge’s claim that he was upended in the box was ignored by referee Neil Swarbrick and Firmino saw a long-range effort stopped with ease, before Klopp turned to star man Philippe Coutinho.
Out since November 26 with an ankle injury, the Brazilian returned as a 61st-minute substitute in a bid to inspire the visiting side.
Coutinho was soon thrilling the raucous travelling support with his skill in winning a corner, but Saints broke at speed when that set-piece came to nothing and looked set to score, only for right-back Cedric to try his luck rather than cross.
In the longer run, the introduction of Coutinho was unable to inject much sustained attacking impetus to struggling Liverpool.
Saints continued to look the bigger danger and, after Rodriguez had an effort, substitute Shane Long beat Lucas Leiva on the left. Redmond met his low cross with a chipped effort that beat Karius but not the crossbar, with Lovren clearing on its way down.
Sturridge and Coutinho blazed over at the other end in a desperate attempt to level, but they were unable to cancel out Southampton’s advantage.
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Saints defender lauded as Premier League’s best by Redknapp and Le Tissier
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Sky Sports pundits Jamie Redknapp and Matt Le Tissier claim Virgil van Dijk is the best defender in the Premier League.
The praise came following Southampton 's 1-0 semi final first leg victory over Liverpool on Wednesday night.
The Dutchman put in an emphatic performance to shut out Daniel Sturridge and co as the Saints put one foot into the EFL Cup final.
Van Dijk has been a steady rock at the back for Saints all season - and his form has seen him linked with high profile clubs such as Manchester United and City.
Following the final whistle, Sky Sports pundit Redknapp said Sturridge didn’t have a chance against van Dijk, he said: "He bullied him all game, never gave him a sniff.
“It was like watching a man play against a little boy with Daniel Sturridge.”
Redknapp added: “Van Dijk is the best Centre back in the country.”
To which Le Tissier replied: “Him and Alderweirld, definitely.”
The Saints head to Anfield on 25 Jan to play the second leg.
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Defiant Southampton show they will not be easily dismissed yet again
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If their rivals knew the secret to their continued defiance they would probably buy that too.
In the meantime Southampton go into the second leg of this intriguing semi-final with their hopes very much alive.
How much better it would have been for them had Nathan Redmond been able to take that chance for a shock second goal, minutes before half time.
The Saints, however, will take this. Yet another statement that they will not be easily dismissed.
It was Liverpool supposed to be scoring the goals, maintaining the scintillating form that has seen them beaten just twice this season in all competitions ahead of this contest.
It was Liverpool supposed to be the big draw, the team expressing themselves en route to another final. Instead the Saints marked out their territory and made a mockery of their recent form, three defeats and a draw from their previous four games.
Ahead of this match the doubters and the fascinated were able to make a strong XI from Southampton stars surrendered by the Saints to bigger clubs over recent years.
Current club captain Jose Fonte looks set to join them, having made it clear to the south coast outfit that he wants to move on.
Claude Puel left him out of this contest, a move that looked a risky one ahead of a meeting with the leading scorers in the Premier League.
This was the semi-final of a cup competition. Southampton’s biggest game for years. It wasn’t as if their recent form allowed them the wriggle room to leave out one of their best defenders.
The decision, however, paid off. In came Maya Yoshida to replace Fonte and the Saints team more than held their own.
Southampton executive chairman Les Reed has told fans concerned about the recent poor form and the potential departures of more top stars to trust both the club and the way that they go about their business.
Nights like this show just how good a job both he and the club are doing in difficult circumstances.
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Virgil van Dijk is the best centre-back in the Premier League, says Jamie Redknapp
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Virgil van Dijk is the best centre-back in the Premier League, says Jamie Redknapp
Southampton’s “immense” Virgil van Dijk is the best centre-back in the Premier League, says Jamie Redknapp.
Van Dijk helped Saints to a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday with an assured display, following a fine first half to season.
He has been linked with a move away from the club in the summer, and Redknapp told Sky Sports after the game that the 25-year-old Dutchman is getting “better and better”.
"He’s immense, I say it every time I watch him. He gets better and better. It was like watching a man play against a little boy in Daniel Sturridge, he bullied him all game.
"He never gave him a sniff. He’s got the after-burners, he’s so comfortable on the ball. Whoever decides to buy him, he is a fantastic player.
“There’s not a better centre-back in the Premier League.”
Former Southampton striker Matt Le Tisier echoed Redknapp’s words, saying he is the best central defender in the division alongside Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld.
Also speaking on Sky Sports, Le Tissier does not believe Van Dijk will be sold by Southampton this January, and added that Jose Fonte’s transfer request meant he could not be expected to play alongside Van Dijk on Wednesday evening.
"I like Alderweireld, and those two are the best two centre-backs in the Premier League.
“Jose will be missed, he’s been a terrific servant for the club, but once you’ve put in a transfer request I don’t think he can be expected to play tonight.”
Asked if they will keep hold of Van Dijk in January, Le Tissier said: "I think so, I think when you look back at all the players we have sold, I can’t remember one of them going in January.
“I thought they organised themselves really well. I watched the last round up at the Emirates and they did the same thing there, a terrific defensive performance.”
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