ReactionHarvey Elliott: We knew we'd have to fight at Southampton - we did it as a team
Harvey Elliott was delighted by the fight a much-changed Liverpool side showed as they beat Southampton 2-1 to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
The No.19 made his first start of the season following his return from injury and marked the occasion with the Reds’ second goal at St Mary’s on Wednesday night.
Darwin Nunez had earlier put the visitors in front, and Arne Slot’s side ensured they will be in Thursday night’s last-four draw despite second-half pressure from Saints that included a goal from Cameron Archer.
On how he would assess a ‘tough’ contest overall, Elliott told Sky Sports post-match: “Just like that, really. They caused us a fair few problems.
“We came into this game, especially with the circumstances that Southampton are going through, we knew they were going to come out fighting and we had to be ready for that.
“I feel like for a team that we put out there today – some of us haven’t played much this season, we had really young lads as well – we fought as a team and thankfully we can come away with the win.”
There were further opportunities at both ends during the second half, including one excellent Caoimhin Kelleher save from Archer just moments after the game had gone to 2-1.
“I wouldn’t say surprised, to be honest, because if you look at the Premier League game they caused us problems as well,” Elliott added of the hosts’ response.
“Southampton are a side full of confidence and they’re not scared to play out from the back and take risks. It’s credit to them, as I said they caused us problems today and they have done before.
“But it was just about how we could deal with those problems as a team and the pressure that they were putting on, making sure we stand strong and defend as well as we can.
“Despite conceding one goal, I felt like we did that very well.”
On a personal note, the encounter was a step forward for Elliott, who played 90 minutes having previously been sidelined for around two months with a foot injury.
Though the midfielder tried to use his enforced absence positively, he is naturally pleased to now be available to contribute again.
“Yeah, it’s frustrating but at the same time you can work on things that I needed to work on, that if I was playing with the busy schedule I may have not been able to work on it as much,” he told Liverpoolfc.com.
“So it was a time for reflection really: what can I improve on? Where can I get better in areas? My job is to go out and play football, and when you’re injured and you can’t do that it’s a horrible feeling. But you just need to build yourself back up for moments like this, make sure you’re 100 per cent ready to go and fit.
“I felt good out there tonight. I’m just very happy to get the 90 minutes under my belt and keep taking it one at a time.”
Elliott provided the finishing touch to a neat passage of play from Liverpool for what proved to be the evening’s winning goal.
Advancing to collect Cody Gakpo’s assist at the edge of the area, he fired a low effort beyond the goalkeeper via a beneficial deflection.
“Especially from that 10 position – it’s areas I play in at England – I’m always trying to get in the box and make that forward run,” he said.
“Last season, playing in that eight role it was a bit harder because you’re a bit further back, so being a bit more forward I need to get in the box more and need to make those forward runs.
“It was a great pass from Cody and it was just about me steadying myself and making sure I get a good connection. Happily, it went in.”
This article has been automatically translated and, while all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, some errors in translation are possible. Please refer to the original English-language version of the article for the official version.