Southampton, who were attempting to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1987, took the lead on 41 seconds when Sadio Mane headed in Ryan Bertrand’s cross.
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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.
There was further gloom, however, for Southampton as second-half substitute Ibe drilled home from 20 metres to make it five before Origi completed his hat-trick with an 86th-minute header.
In progressing to the semi-finals against Stoke, Liverpool avoided the potentially more hard draws against Everton or Manchester City, but Klopp pointed to his team’s recent 4-1 win at City as proof they need not be concerned about facing them, and insisted that Stoke remain a significant challenge.
“We must try to recover the players for Tuesday”, said Pellegrini.
In my view, Sturridge should start on the bench, and come in the second-half, just as he did against Swansea.
Klopp, meanwhile, has quashed suggestions Liverpool are hunting for a new goalkeeper after declaring himself happy with current first choice Simon Mignolet.
“I knew about his quality, not live in a stadium, but in an important tournament”.
Victor Wanyama and Mane again had chances as the Saints pressed for a second in a bright opening 15 minutes, but that was as good as it got for Koeman’s side as Liverpool quickly settled and equalised through Sturridge.
“The only thing about this is that you ask me questions like this. The have a great energy and they have qualities in the team”, he continued, before adding, “We gave them that space, those opportunities and if you give a man like Daniel Sturridge that space he will kill you”.
“Philippe had a very intensive session yesterday (Saturday), but we decided two or three days ago that we didn’t want to risk (him) for this game”, said the German.
“I think we are giving the players as much information as we can”.
“We know Liverpool likes to press and if you beat the press then you have a lot of options and possibilities”, the Southampton manager said. “I don’t usually sit in my office and think ‘ah, too many games”.
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The defeat is Southampton’s third in as many games, and they face Aston Villa next at St Mary’s in the Premier League.
