Liverpool’s hopes of reaching the EFL Cup final were dealt a crushing blow as a late Shane Long strike confirmed Southampton’s place at Wembley.

Attempting to overhaul a one-goal defiict from the semi-final first leg saw the Reds pepper their visitors’ goal regularly throughout the Anfield tie.

They were denied their best chance of the game by an impressive goal line stop from Fraser Forster after Emre Can’s driven shot had bobbled towards the Kop’s net.

But in the 91st minute, substitute Long sealed the Saints’ involvement in next month’s showpiece with a strike after a counter attack started by Josh Sims.

Here were the key talking points from Anfield:

FA Cup has to save the season

 

From everything to virtually nothing in the space of just five days. Even by Liverpool’s modern standards of capitulation, this is a new record.

Out of the Premier League title race and now denied a place in the final of their old faithful the EFL Cup, Saturday’s visit of Wolves takes on a new-found priority.

Jurgen Klopp may have been tempted to field a relatively youthful line-up for the visit of Paul Lambert’s side, especially with Chelsea on the horizon next Tuesday.

But any strategic planning firmly went out the window when Shane Long’s 91st-minute strike denied the Anfield faithful a fresh stroll at Wembley next month.

Liverpool’s success this season hinges on an extended FA Cup run just as much as it does a top four finish, if not more.

Do the Reds even have a Plan B?

 

With a manager unbeaten in six previous semi-finals and two showpieces successfully booked on this date, history appeared to be on Liverpool’s side.

But on an evening which had omens written all over it, their Wembley hopes faded with every under-hit pass and weighty first touch in front of goal.

Klopp’s plan appeared to be trying to wear down his opposite number with a high-intensity approach. Southampton had sussed that out over two months ago.

They are not the only ones – Swansea were another recent beneficiary as they ended Anfield’s year-long unbeaten run in the Premier League last weekend.

Liverpool appear to be devoid of a Plan B now that teams have finally wised up to the Gegenpressing philosophy. That should be setting alarm bells for Klopp.

Too little, too late again from Klopp

 

A tired philosophy is not the only area where the Liverpool manager is currently failing.

As Daniel Sturridge led a chorus of players who fluffed their lines in front of goal during the second half, the regular clamour for Divock Origi was unavoidable.

Klopp finally relented to the Kop’s will in introducing the Belgian but its timing, 12 minutes from the end, saw his potential impact prove somewhat limited.

Complaints about dismissed penalty claims merely mask the burning issue – Liverpool’s need for positive in-game changes continue to arrive far too late.

Alexander-Arnold learns the hard way

 

Marauding full-backs are hardly a new phenomenon for Liverpool in recent times.

But what they offer in attack, they often tend to lack defensive, as Glen Johnson, Alberto Moreno and now Trent Alexander-Arnold have all shown.

Nathan Redmond regularly preyed on the 18-year-old’s penchant for playing higher up the pitch during the first half as the visitors continued to threaten.

Admittedly he was not helped by a lack of cover, with Emre Can neglecting his duty to offer a level of protection whenever the South Coast club attacked.

That, however, does not exonerate Alexander-Arnold’s lapsed positional sense on a night where he received a harsh lesson which may later stand him in good stead.