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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

72 min: Here's that big Sturridge chance from earlier.

Lovren can count himself lucky the wind didn't change.

Mark Critchley25 January 2017 21:32

75 min: 15 to go, still no change from Klopp, who has a well-earned reputation for only making late changes.

To be fair, Liverpool's bench is hardly inspiring. Divock Origi could potentially be an option, but he hasn't scored in his last nine.

Mark Critchley25 January 2017 21:34

78 min: Liverpool's first substitute will be Origi, and he comes on at Can's expense.

Mark Critchley25 January 2017 21:36

80 min: Southampton also make a change, with Redmond making way for Josh Sims.

Redmond was devastating in the first half, tailed off a little in the second.

Mark Critchley25 January 2017 21:39

83 min: Liverpool corner from the left bobbles off Long's shoulder, causing the massed ranks on the Kop to cry handball. Martin Atkinson's not listening.

Things are beginning to get a little desperate.

Mark Critchley25 January 2017 21:42

87 min: Firmino does well to skip past one challenge and almost make headway towards goal but sees the ball cleared for a Liverpool corner.

Georginio Wijnaldum on for Philippe Coutinho.

Mark Critchley25 January 2017 21:45

88 min: Luis Garcia is pretty certain Can's earlier effort went in.

Suppose he is an expert on this sort of thing.

Mark Critchley25 January 2017 21:46

90 min: Origi goes down under Stephens' challenge in the box, big appeals but Atkinson waves them away.

Mark Critchley25 January 2017 21:48

GOAL! Liverpool 0 Southampton 1 (Long)

Wow. Right after Liverpool should arguably have had a penalty at one end, Southampton break at pace after the hosts fail with a corner.

Puel's side are up the other end in no time and work the ball out to Long, who seals his side's place in the final with an angled shot across Karius.

Mark Critchley25 January 2017 21:49

90+3 min: Some Liverpool fans will point to the penalty, which it appears should've been given about Stephens, but there are no arguments about who deserves to be at Wembley.

Liverpool have underwhelmed. Klopp is about to lose a semi-final for the first time ever.

Mark Critchley25 January 2017 21:52

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