Liverpool win 6-1 to earn spot in Capital One Cup semi-finals

CAPITAL ONE CUP SEMI-FINAL: LIVERPOOL, MANCHESTER CITY, EVERTON, STOKE

Liverpool defeated Southampton 6-1 in the Capital One Cup Quarter-Finals setting up a League Cup tie with Stoke in the Semi-Finals. Red’s striker Daniel Sturridge came back from injury to dazzle Liverpool fans at Saint Mary’s as he struck a goal midway into the first half and then netted another for a brace within four minutes to mark his return.

"I said to Sturridge after the game 'now I know what everybody is talking about, so thank you'," remarked Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. Luis Suarez left Liverpool for FC Barcelona in summer 2014, and the Reds have looked to Sturridge to fill in the gap left by Suarez. However Sturridge has been plagued by injury since Suarez left. Sturidge’s two goals today were on only his fifth appearance of the 2015-16 season.

Last week, Sturridge was taken out with a foot injury of Liverpool’s Europa League tie with Bordeaux by German manager Jurgen Klopp at the last minute. Klopp demands intensity and fitness from his men, and evidently expects his side to continue to play through pain. "Your body has to learn to adapt to new intensities of training and in this time you have to learn what is serious pain and what is only pain," remarked Klopp about Sturridge’s injury.

England striker Sturridge has scored 44 times in 73 appearances for Liverpool, and has six goals in his last five Capital One Cup games. Southampton’s Sadio Mane opened the match, scoring in the first minute of the clash. Belgium international Divock Origi scored three for Jurgen Klopp's side as they dominated and outclassed Southampton throughout the match, winning yet another battle on their way to League Cup silverware.

Looking confident, Belgium Origi scored his first goal for Liverpool. Then the young Belgian hammered home his second, making it 4 – 1. Origi had not previously scored in his 13 appearances to date for either Liverpool or for England. Substitute Jordon Ibe replaced Sturridge and scored Liverpool’s fifth.

Next the powerful twenty-year-old Origi glanced home a late header, his third goal for Liverpool to complete his hat-trick, making the final score Liverpool 6 – 1 Southampton. Klopp has faith in Origi who underperformed under former boss Brendan Rodgers, and was delighted with Origi show of talent and fine finishing against Southampton.

Today’s wonderful high energy game was an almost perfect performance from talented Liverpool. In the future, Liverpool fans hope that Kloop will utilize Sturridge, Origi, and Christian Benteke as a formidable trio of goalscoring talent for an improved team from former manager Rodgers’ side.

Capital one cup semi finals

The Reds will face Stoke and Everton will battle Man City in the League Cup SemiFinals in January. Buy Capital One Cup tickets including Manchester City tickets, Liverpool tickets, Everton tickets, and Stoke tickets now online at LiveFootballTickets.com at cheap prices. League Cup tickets for the Capital One Cup Final 2016 are also for sale now – buy your tickets well in advance of the match for the best selection of seats and prices.

First legs will be played on the week beginning 4 January 4, 2016. Second legs will be played on the week commencing January 25, 2015

Capital One Cup Everton v Manchester City Tickets

Capital One Cup Stoke v Liverpool Tickets

34 Bogdan

56 Randall Booked

37 Skrtel

06 Lovren

18 Moreno (Smith - 77' )

23 Can Booked

21 Lucas

20 Lallana

24 Allen (Henderson - 74' )

15 Sturridge (Ibe - 59' )

27 Origi

07 Milner

09 Benteke

11 Firmino

14 Henderson

22 Mignolet

33 Ibe

44 Smith