Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Southampton as Alexander Isak good but two poor

ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL // Liverpool booked its place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup thanks to Hugo Ekitike's late winner, with Alexander Isak also netting his first goal since arriving from Newcastle United.

The Reds could have gone behind shortly before Isak scored. Had Leo Scienza not headed wide, things could have panned out differently. Instead, though, Will Still's men found a way past Giorgi Mamardashvili in the second half.

Ekitike scored the winner and was then sent off for a second booking as he celebrated by taking off his shirt. He had already been cautioned for dissent. The draw for round four will take place tomorrow, after the conclusion of Port Vale vs Arsenal.

Winners

Alexander Isak got off the mark in the game and Giovanni Leoni and Giorgi Mamardashvili, the two debutants, looked comfortable in their new surroundings. Liverpool got through, and that is the main thing for some of those on the fringes, who will presumably now get another chance to impress, but it wasn't the most interesting of matches, in truth, until Ekitike livened things up.

Losers

GIven a lot of the players who started here needed to make an impression to get another chance, it wasn't easy to pick out any particular highlights. There were solid enough performances and those who flew under the radar, but no one really grabbed things by the scruff of the neck. That, for some, will be a disappointment; a missed opportunity.

Ekitike, though he scored, also must fall in this category. He was yellow-carded twice in completely unnecessary circumstances and will now serve a one-match suspension.

Player ratings

Giorgi Mamardashvili (7). Starting his first competitive game for Liverpool since signing from Valencia, it wasn't long before he was called into action, making a good early save from Adam Armstrong. Good handling, calm and composed throughout.

Jeremie Frimpong (5). Gave the ball away far too easily several times early on in the game, which frustrated himself as much as anyone else. Grew into things a little but would have wanted to have more of an influence. A bit better when he was moved forward.

Giovanni Leoni (7). Another to be making his debut, he read the game well and was good in possession. A pretty good first impression.

Joe Gomez (6). An experienced head at the back, he was good in possession and helped guide Leoni through the game. Lost the ball too easily a couple of times as the end of the game neared, possibly due to tiredness.

Andy Robertson (6). Captaining the team, he defended well and helped support Ngumoha when he could. Unspectacular.

Wataru Endo (5). More than happy to put his foot in, but not always the tidiest on the ball. You know exactly what you're getting. This was particularly poor in possession, though, and he made an error for the equalizing goal.

Trey Nyoni (6). Though Ngumoha has got most of the headlines this season, this is another top talent emerging from the Liverpool academy. He looked like he lacking a bit of physicality here, however.

Curtis Jones (6). He kept things ticking in the middle of the field but wasn't hugely creative. Not bad, but didn't stand out.

Federico Chiesa (6). The Italian really needed to take his chance and make a good impression. He set up Isak's opener with a good interception and was brighter in the second period than the first, but wasn't as heavily involved as he might have liked. Got through lots of running.

Alexander Isak (7). In the team to get more minutes under his belt, Isak lasted for 45 plus some half-time shuttles after his 58 against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League a week ago. He should have scored early on and he showed flashes of what he can do, before breaking the deadlock just before the interval.

Rio Ngumoha (6). Such a technically gifted and electric player down the left flank, Southampton dealt pretty well with the threat of the 17-year-old in the main. He often found that he had to turn back and pass back to Robertson rather than take on his man.

Substitutes

Hugo Ekitike (6). Booked for a showing of dissent and then sent off for removing his jersey. He looked bright and he's sharper than Isak at the moment, and looks to be in a good vein of form, which only makes his red card even more annoying.

Conor Bradley (6). Decent enough at the back without doing anything sensational. A bit like the rest of the team, he did fine but nothing more. Milos Kerkez also came on but too late to earn a rating.