Southampton 1, Liverpool 6: First Thoughts

Southampton 1: Mane 1',
Liverpool 5: Sturridge 26', 29', Origi 45', 69, 86', Ibe 73'

• Pre-match: A relatively strong line-up, with the notable exceptions being the surprise start of Origi, and the surprise rest for Clyne, with Randall slotting in at right back. Bogdan also comes in for Mignolet. Teixeira is a curious absence from the eighteen, which is a shame because he acquitted himself very well in his last cup outing. Although it's still just the League Cup, it's hard not to get a bit excited at this stage. A win tonight raises the possibility of either a Merseyside Derby semifinal or final. 
  
  
• GOAL. Nightmare start for the Reds. No defensive pressure allows for an easy cross into a dangerous area, and an easy headed finish by Mane. Liverpool down a goal within the first minute. 
  
  
• Minutes after the first dangerous cross into the area comes another, thankfully not finished as well this time. Randall isn't doing himself any favors in these first few minutes, with both crosses coming in as a result of poor defending on his flank. ...And Randall's booked for a clumsy tackle a few minutes later. This might be a long one, y'all. 
  
  
• After a very nervy first 10 or so minutes, Liverpool started growing into the game with some corners and decent build-up play. Still, the Reds look far less assured at the back than they have in recent performances under Klopp. 
  
  
• GOAL! A great ball over the top from Allen is initially played away from goal with a poor first touch from Sturridge. He then makes up for it with an excellent juke and clinical finish into the far corner from a narrow angle. How much did we miss this man? 1-1. 
  
  
• GOAL!! I've barely finished writing about the last one when Sturridge scores a second, with the help of an absolute peach of a ball over the top from Can. Sturridge hits it first time, and there was no doubt. 1-2. 
  
  
• An absolute frenetic pace to the game now, with both teams going full-tilt now. Randall survives a close handball appeal in the box, and the game ticks on. 
  
  
• GOAL!!! I didn't know Moreno had that in him, and by his reaction he didn't either. An absolute cannon blast fired from just outside the box off of a corner. It was hit hard and low through a mass of bodies, and Stekelenburg had no chance. 1-3, Liverpool rollin' as the half draws to a close. 
  
  
• Halftime: When the match started, it looked like it could be a long evening for the Reds. It has hardly been as dominant as the scoreline suggests, but Sturridge and Moreno couldn't have taken their chances any better. Sturridge reminds us how much we've missed his perfectly-timed runs to get behind the defense. Randall reminds us how spoiled we are to have a lock-down right back in Clyne. And Origi reminds us that he's not quite ready for this level, with almost all of the offensive threat coming from Sturridge, Lallana, Can, Moreno, and Allen.
  
  Correction: I guess Moreno's goal is being given to Origi. Apparently the ball defected off the striker's shoelace, thus technically opening up his Liverpool account.
  
  
• Sturridge not happy about coming off whilst on a hat trick, but absolutely the right move as he continues to build-up match fitness. Ibe comes on wide, as Origi pushes forward to lead the line. 
  
  
• Emre Can earns a yellow, and a mandatory 1-game vacation courtesy of the F.A. 
  
  
• GOAL!!!! A second goal--this one very much deserved--for Origi. Ibe provided a great through ball for the other big Belgian who takes it and buries it into the top near corner, no questions asked. 1-4.
  
  
• GOAL!!!!! It's officially a party. Moreno picks out Ibe at the top of the box, who chests it down, calmly takes a touch, and then riffles it home with a low, well-hit strike. 1-5.
  
  
• GOAL!!!!!! OK, this is getting embarrassing. Or not. Just enjoy it. Brad Smith plays a great cross into the box for Origi to attack, and he dutifully heads it home from close range. 1-6. 
  
  
• Full time: 7 shots on target, 6 goals. Sometimes you have a night where everything you try works out, and this was one of those nights. Liverpool were the deserved winners, but some incredible finishing (and dare I say "coolness?") in front of goal helped heap misery on Southampton.

We'll be back shortly to take an in-depth look at everything that happened in today's game with the full recap. Until then, let us know your take on the ups and downs of the match in the comments, and if you haven't already, join the community on the Liverpool Offside, where we'll have full coverage and lively in-game discussion for every match this season.