Cup: Origi hat-trick as L'pool hit six

Simon Peach 03:43 03/12/2015
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  • Flying high: Liverpool.

    Divock Origi plundered a hat-trick and Daniel Sturridge claimed a brace as Liverpool came from behind to destroy Southampton 6-1 last night and set up a League Cup semi-final against Stoke City.

    Sadio Mane headed Southampton in front after 39 seconds, but Sturridge marked his first start since October 4 with a four-minute brace and 20-year-old Belgian striker Origi opened his Liverpool account with a treble with substitute Jordon Ibe also on target.

    The result continued the resurgence that has taken hold at Liverpool since the appointment of manager Jurgen Klopp, whose side have lost just one of the 11 games since he took over, winning seven of the last eight.

    Ronald Koeman’s team were seeking a reaction to successive defeats by Manchester City and Stoke City and they wasted no time getting started at St Mary’s.

    After Dusan Tadic’s shimmying had moved young Liverpool rightback Connor Randall out of the way, Ryan Bertrand curled a cross in from the left and Mane met it with a firm header into the bottom-right corner.

    With jeers ringing in the ears of former Saints Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana, it threatened to be a long night for the visitors, but in the 25th minute they levelled. Joe Allen released Sturridge and he quickly shifted the ball onto his left foot and drilled home.

    Four minutes later he was celebrating again. This time Emre Can was the architect with an exquisite pass using the outside of his right foot.

    Liverpool extended their lead on the cusp of half-time, former Lille striker Origi getting the faintest of touches to Alberto Moreno’s 20- yard drive for his first Liverpool goal.

    Southampton switched to a back three at half-time but although they initially succeeded in keeping Liverpool at arm’s length, it did not last.

    Sturridge departed just before the hour, with Ibe coming on. Within minutes it was all over, however, as Origi lashed home from Ibe’s pass and headed in a left-wing cross from substitute Brad Smith, either side of a drilled effort from Ibe.

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