Divock Origi scored a hat trick – his first goals for Liverpool – after fellow striker Daniel Sturridge marked his latest return from injury with goals in the 25th and 29th minutes to spark the comeback.
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Liverpool’s progress since Klopp’s appointment less than two months ago has been significant and dramatic, but with Sturridge perhaps the key component in their pursuit of a first major trophy since 2012 and a top-four finish in the Premier League, the striker’s goals will likely have encouraged his manager more than anything else he has so far seen.
Klopp’s side, who have now won seven of their last eight games in all competitions, join Premier League leaders Manchester City, Merseyside rivals Everton and Stoke City in the draw for the semi-finals.
Southampton fans arrived at St Mary’s for Wednesday’s Capital One Cup quarterfinal against Liverpool in the hope their side could take a big step towards ending the club’s 39-year wait for a major trophy.
But while the improvement in results and performances has raised optimism that the club could be realistic challengers this season, the former Borussia Dortmund boss said: “I don’t think about this”.
“We know we can play good football, but sometimes maybe it’s too open and against these kind of teams, with a lot of quality and a lot of speed, it’s too much and it was too much in the second half”.
“We expect to win all the time”, said Klopp in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Newcastle United match on Sunday. I know a bit of their problems in the past year.
After Sadio Mane’s early header had put the Saints in front, the Reds hit back with a double from Sturridge to set them on course to reach the last four. They’re bringing young players on, the improvement in people like Jordon Ibe, [Divock] Origi scoring a hat-trick. “He’s got that infectious personality and I’m excited to go and spend some time with him”. “It was a good decision (to select him), I have to say”.
“It is not always easy to sign new players and they need time to adapt. They have good quality players and work very hard, Jurgen is doing very well”.
“The second half is my responsibility”, Koeman admitted.
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“When players have been out for a long spell, you wonder how they’re going to come back, but this is what he is all about”.
