Match reportLewis Koumas and Jayden Danns score to put Liverpool into FA Cup quarter-finals

Koumas, on his senior debut, opened the scoring in the fifth-round tie at Anfield on the stroke of half-time.

That lead was then increased by another product from the Reds’ Academy in Danns, who struck in front of the Kop in minutes 73 and 88.

Those finishes set Jürgen Klopp’s side up with a trip to Manchester United in the last eight of the competition.

Team news

Koumas, who joined the club’s Academy set-up at U11 level from Tranmere Rovers, was one of six changes Klopp made to the team that started the Carabao Cup final victory over Chelsea.

Kelleher, Gomez, Van Dijk (Konate, 46), Gakpo (Gordon, 90), Elliott (Nyoni, 78), Tsimikas, Clark, McConnell (Mac Allister, 62), Koumas (Danns, 62), Quansah, Bradley.

Unused substitutes: Adrian, Diaz, Scanlon, Nallo.

First half

There was a bright start from the visitors, who had the ball in the net inside a minute – though the flag was raised after Sekou Mara had finished. However, more opportunities, ones which would have stood, arrived soon after.

In the fifth minute, Kamaldeen Sulemana watched his side-foot from within the Liverpool 18-yard box clip the post and bounce behind.

And fewer than 60 seconds later, Caoimhin Kelleher was called into action as he made a good stop to deny Mara from close range after he had dispossessed James McConnell.

Joe Rothwell then danced into the Reds’ penalty area in the aftermath of a cleared corner but could not direct his low curler on target.

Meanwhile, the hosts’ first chance arrived following a successful high press on a Southampton goal-kick. McConnell won back possession and slipped a pass into Cody Gakpo, who was unable to adjust his feet inside the box under pressure from multiple defenders.

After Bobby Clark skidded a shot wide from distance, Sulemana found space to exploit in the Liverpool half and skipped past a Jarell Quansah challenge, only to have his shot at the end of the charge kept out by Kelleher.

But the Reds enjoyed their best spell of the period right at the end of it.

Harvey Elliott’s swerving long-range hit forced goalkeeper Joe Lumley into a full-stretch save, and the breakthrough was then produced a minute later.

Collecting a pass from Clark, Koumas cut inside, dropped a shoulder on the edge of the box and opened his account with a quick shot that was deflected into the bottom left corner.

The opening goalscorer nearly assisted Gakpo moments later but his fellow forward’s effort drifted wide.

Second half

A Saints response nearly came within a few minutes of the restart.

Kelleher was on the ground when he saved Sulemana’s finish from a ball drilled towards the back post by Samuel Edozie. Shortly after, Jan Bednarek stabbed over from Shea Charles’ cross.

Liverpool nearly made it 2-0 in the 52nd minute, though a sweeping move ended with an unclean finish from Gakpo.

Another opportunity came Southampton’s way but they were unable to take it as Charles struck the side-netting when a corner sent deep found him free.

The Reds continued to press hard for that two-goal cushion and it arrived through another youngster.

Danns, who was introduced to the game in place of Koumas, raced into the area to meet Elliott’s pass and lifted the ball over the onrushing Lumley with the poise of a veteran.

The substitute made sure of Liverpool’s progression with instinctive following up on a Conor Bradley shot that had been parried out by Lumley.

Attendance: 59,782