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Liverpool have advanced into the FA Cup semifinal following their impressive win against Southampton FC in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Since most of the senior players were unavailable, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp deployed several teenage players, and they didn’t disappoint the manager.
Lewis Koumas, the 18-year-old winger, gave Liverpool the opening goal in the first half. Coming off the bench, teenager Jayden Danns completed his brace within a few minutes to secure Liverpool’s 3-0 victory against Southampton FC. As a result, Liverpool secured their place in the semifinal, where they will meet their arch-rival Manchester United.
As it happened
It was a difficult match for Jurgen Klopp since most of his key players were out of the squad due to injuries. Mo Salah, Trent Alexander Arnold, Darwin Nunez, and many more were absent due to their respective injury. As a result, Jurgen Klopp was forced to play with teenagers against Southampton.
Klopp played his team in a 4-3-3 formation, making the debut of five players. Southampton’s boss Russell Martin also chose a 4-3-3 formation for the team.
However, Liverpool seemed unorganized for the first 20 minutes. The Saints were very aggressive since the beginning and had a great chance to take an early lead. Southampton striker Sékou Mara found the back of the net in just 20 seconds of the game, but it was ruled out due to offside. The visitors also had some crucial chances but failed to convert.
Liverpool, on the other hand, eventually became stable and took control of the midfield. But they had to wait until the very last minute of the first half to find the net. Lewis Koumas broke the deadlock in the 44th minute with the help of Bobby Clark.
The visitors tried hard to find the equalizer after the break, but Liverpool’s defense did a brilliant job to keep the clean sheet. Additionally, Liverpool doubled their lead when Jayden Danns, coming off the bench in the 63rd minute, scored his first-ever senior goal for Liverpool within ten minutes. Jayden Danns also completed his brace as he found the net once again with a bullet shot in the 88th minute.
Southampton FC, however, couldn’t score a goal in the remaining minute, resulting in Liverpool winning the match by a 3-0 margin with a youthful squad.
Jurgen Klopp Praised the Young Players
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is very pleased with the performance of his young players. “I cannot imagine how this week must feel for the boys. It feels pretty good for me but I know about all the problems we have around as well. They don’t have to care about that, so they can just fly and they deserve that. It’s the week of the Academy and I’m so happy to mention them again, just because it’s exceptional,” Klopp said in the post-match press conference.
