Liverpool knock sorry Southampton for six

Liverpool ran riot at St. Mary's as they defeated Southampton 6-1 in the Capital One Cup quarter finals.

Ronald Koeman's Saints side got off to a flyer as Ryan Bertrand's whipped cross met the onrushing Sadio Mane who powered the ball home with a great header within the first minute of action.

Unsuspecting Southampton fans reveled in the delight of getting an early goal over rivals Liverpool - a side which contained the much-maligned duo of Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren.

Both players were continually met with boos whenever they touched the ball after leaving Saints in a manner which left a sour taste in the mouth for many fans of the South Coast club.

Southampton looked comfortable with the Reds in retreat until the returning Daniel Sturridge struck twice in the space of four minutes for the visitors. The first of his brace saw him take advantage of a lackadaisical Steven Caulker, who unwittingly allowed Sturridge the space to expertly slot the ball home beyond a despairing Maarten Stekelenburg.

Sturridge's second goal was even more impressive as he finished with aplomb with his first touch following Liverpool midfielder Emre Can's perfectly-weighted through ball with the outside of his boot. At this point, the tie completely turned on its head.

Saints' hopes of leveling the scores were dashed as Alberto Moreno's drive from distance was deflected in by Belgian international Divock Origi - the first goal of the young forward's hat-trick.

In the second half, Koeman set his side up to go and attack Liverpool from kick off with three players - including Victor Wanyama - formed the Saints backline.

However, with the benefit of hindsight, Koeman's tactical change backfired and Southampton were caught on the break from the marauding Liverpool attacking tri-fecta of Lallana, Origi and substitute Jordan Ibe.

Ibe set Origi up for his second and Liverpool's fourth goal, as the young English winger cut inside to thread a ball through to the pacy Origi, who hammered the ball into the Saints net. Ibe then got a goal of his own as his low, arrowed shot fizzed past the long, outstretched limbs of Stekelenburg. Origi then grabbed his hat-trick and Liverpool's sixth goal after deftly glancing home a header.

All in all, it was a miserable say for Koeman and his Southampton side who endured their worst home defeat since 1995. Liverpool, on the other hand, advance to the Capital One Cup semi finals, where they will take on Mark Hughes' ever-improving Stoke City.

Saints fans will be hoping their team can regroup ahead of Aston Villa's visit to St. Mary's on Saturday.