Liverpool 3-0 Southampton: Teenage stars fire youthful Reds past Southampton to set up Man Utd FA Cup quarter-final tie

A brace by Jayden Danns secured a youthful Liverpool side an FA Cup quarter-final clash with rivals Manchester United after an impressive 3-0 victory over Championship high-flyers Southampton at Anfield.

Southampton started brightly, testing Caoimhin Kelleher on numerous occasions but ultimately lacking a clinical edge, and they were punished when Lewis Koumas had his effort deflected in on the stroke of half-time, scoring on his first Liverpool start.

The introduction of Danns in the second half proved the catalyst to extending Liverpool’s lead, with the 18-year-old firing in a delightful chipped finish 11 minutes after being introduced.

The young forward put the game beyond doubt two minutes from time as he slammed home after Conor Bradley’s shot was parried to secure Liverpool’s fifth win in succession.

Klopp’s side are looking to build upon their Carabao Cup victory on Sunday, when the German coach secured his eighth trophy in charge of the Merseyside club.

Of the starting line-up against Southampton, just three of Liverpool side were aged 26 or over. Several players in the side have minimal experience of first-team football. But the hosts played like a team of seasoned professionals to snuff out a very well-drilled and experienced Southampton side.

But this should no longer be surprising. Klopp’s selection of youth players also played a huge part in edging out Chelsea to win the Carabao Cup on Sunday, and this proves a selection headache for the upcoming quarter-final against Manchester United.

Liverpool often put trust in youth in cup competitions, do they opt for a similarly inexperienced side at Old Trafford?

The likes of Danns, Bradley and Koumas did more than enough to justify staying in the side, but with one cup already under their belt in Klopp’s farewell season at Anfield, they will have to execute a fine balance to try and secure as many trophies as possible out of the three more available.

He was only on the pitch for 29 minutes but you simply cannot ignore the influence that Danns’ brace had on the cup tie.

His finish for the first goal belied his age, and his presence in the right place at the right time for the second showed true striker’s instinct.

Harvey Elliott ran him close for the accolade, but on just his third appearance for the club, Danns’ performance deserves the recognition.

Liverpool: Kelleher 8, Bradley 7, Quansah 6, van Dijk 6, Tsimikas 7, McConnell 6, Gomez 6, Clark 7, Elliott 8, Koumas 7, Gakpo 6. Subs: Danns 9, Gordon 6, Konate 7, Nyoni 6.

Southampton: Lumley 6, Manning 5, Bednarek 5, Stephens 6, Bree 5, Rothwell 5, Charles 5, Aribo 5, Sulemana 7, Mara 6, Edozie 6. Subs: Adams 6, Armstrong 5, Harwood-Bellis 5, Smallbone 4, Walker-Peters 5.

44′ GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-0 SOUTHAMPTON (KOUMAS) It’s Koumas on his debut! A nice move spearheaded by Bobby Clark sees Koumas with the ball on the edge of the area. He works some space before firing a low effort which is deflected beyond Lumley and Anfield erupts! It’s probably the worst time to concede for the away side.

63′ NOW A DOUBLE CHANGE FOR LIVERPOOL. Goalscorer Koumas exits the field to a rapturous applause. James McConnell also comes off. Jayden Danns and Alexis Mac Allister enter the field. Klopp has opted for slightly more experience in the middle of the park.

73′ GOAL! LIVERPOOL 2-0 SOUTHAMPTON (DANNS) THAT SHOULD BE THAT! What a finish from Jayden Danns. Saints give the ball away and Elliott exploits the gap with a darting run. Danns moves well to get beyond the Saints back line as he dinks a delightful chip over Lumley to all but secure Liverpool’s passage to the quarter-final.

78′ ANOTHER DEBUT – TREY NYONI COMES ON Another fantastic moment for a Liverpool youngster as 16-year-old Trey Nyoni enters play for the final 12 minutes. The third youngest player to debut for the side. Elliott makes way after a thoroughly decent display.

GOAL! LIVERPOOL 3-0 SOUTHAMPTON – DANNS AGAIN! It’s a brace for Danns! What a substitute performance. Aribo loses the ball from a throw-in and Mac Allister’s cross in is headed away by Bednarek but only into the path of Bradley. His effort with the outside of his foot is saved by Lumley but Danns is in the right place to prod home and double his tally for the evening.

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