Liverpool 'inability' on show again vs Southampton as UK media reacts to cup win
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It was a story of three forwards for Liverpool in the Carabao Cup as it defeated Southampton 2-1 on Tuesday evening through strikes from Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike.
Hugo Ektike duly obliged, though not in the manner he would have hoped.
"The French striker had replaced Isak at the interval and maintained Liverpool's slew of late winners this season to see off a plucky Southampton side.
The forward will miss the next game against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
"Progress to the Carabao Cup fourth round was still achieved but, until then, the focus was drawn to Isak and no-one can dispute he is not prepared to put in the hard yards in order to be a success."
Rich Jolly - The Independent - "And to think some worried Hugo Ekitike would be overshadowed by Alexander Isak at Anfield.
On the night the striker opened his account for his new club, Ekitike contrived to upstage his striking rival, extending Liverpool's extraordinary record of late deciders and yet drawing cutting criticism from his manager.
"For the sixth time in seven games, Liverpool won late on; for the fourth time after it had lost a lead.
"The Frenchman has made a fine impression in his brief Liverpool career but this, as Arne Slot was swift to say, was sheer stupidity.
"With his watching brief in the second half, the Swede had further evidence of Liverpool's ability to make life difficult for themselves
There was a surprise for Will Still, who saw his Southampton team leave its patchy form well behind.
"But the biggest shock was reserved for Arne Slot, who watched in disbelief as Hugo Etikite saved the day in one moment then, in the next, presented his manager with an unnecessary headache from two actions that even his team-mates regarded as preposterous.
"You have to go some to get criticism after plundering a late winner but for Ekitike to put a blemish on all his early outstanding work with two – wholly avoidable – bookings and earn himself a suspension for Saturday's trip to Crystal Palace left Slot dumbfounded."