5 talking points as Liverpool's kids set up Man Utd FA Cup quarter-final meeting
The kids continue to be more than alright for Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp's Kop kids saw off Southampton to set up an FA Cup quarter-final tie at Old Trafford.
The Saints had been the better side for the majority of the first half at Anfield, hitting the post through Kamaldeen Sulemana, but a deflected effort from debutant Lewis Koumas gave the depleted Reds the lead shortly before the break.
Southampton, playing a fine brand of football, kept coming in the second half, but substitute Jayden Danns clipped home a superb second at the Kop end for his first senior goal, then followed that up with another from close range
Here are the main talking points from the night.
1. Onto Old Trafford
After this win, and everything it signifies for the club's academy, it will be onto Old Trafford for the quarter-final next month, and will could be a massive game in both club's seasons.
Klopp's dream Liverpool line up as last-gasp January transfers rejected
A United win and Erik ten Hag will have a huge, potentially job saving tick in the box, but a Liverpool win will probably keep the quadruple hunt alive, keep Klopp's final show on the road and keep the dream ending possible. Can't wait.
2. Southampton's slick start
Sekou Mara was key to Southampton's excellent start (Getty Images)Klopp was at pains to point out that Liverpool hadn't been celebrating since clinching the Carabao Cup on Sunday, but in the opening exchanges Southampton made them look as though they'd been out on the ale. The ones that are old enough, anyway.
Demonstrating a fearlessness and quality on the ball that Russell Martin's sides have become known for, Saints were by far and away the better side early on, and really should have been ahead by the quarter hour mark as Mara and Sulemana looked so dangerous, with the latter hitting the post with an effort from an angle and the former bringing a smart stop from Caoimhin Kelleher. Decision making let them down at times, but Saints were excellent.
3. A position too far for Joe Gomez
Part of the reason for that Southampton success was the emptiness of Liverpool's midfield, where Joe Gomez started in a brand new position and really struggled to keep up with the pace and movement of the visitors.
The Englishman has had a superb season for the Reds, and his displays at left-back in particular in the absences of Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas were excellent, but he looked like a fish out of water here. It is incredibly tough to play No.6 for Liverpool even if midfield is your position, and it certainly isn't Gomez's.
4. Lewis Koumas the newest Kop kid
Koumas became Liverpool's second youngest FA Cup goalscorer of all-time (PA)Jason Koumas was a tidy player for Tranmere, West Brom, Cardiff, Wigan and Wales, scoring an impressive 10 goals in 34 games for his country. Whatever heights his son Lewis reaches in his career, he'll never forget this night.
Koumas Jr was on the bench for the Carabao Cup final and didn't get on, but he got his start here on the left of the attack and for a long time he looked Liverpool's brightest player in their toughest period. He capped those minutes with a goal just before half-time, a lucky one via a deflection, but he's got something about him.
5. But don't forget the veteran Jayden Danns (on his third appearance)
Danns scored twice off the bench (Getty Images)Danns' dad Neil was a good player too, impressing for Birmingham and Crystal Palace among others, and after his cameo appearance in the Carabao Cup final came this superbly taken goal in front of the Kop, a joyous moment for any player, but especially a local lad.
Danns Snr was a lively midfielder, but Jayden is a big, imposing forward, and after the goal he could have scored at Wembley came these moments he'll never forget, with two smart finishes at the Kop end. Liverpool are producing these kids at a rapid rate, and they all look the part.
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