We Could Have Scored More – Southampton Boss Claude Puel

Claude Puel was left to rue a string of missed chances as Southampton failed to put Liverpool to bed in their EFL Cup semi-final first leg. The Saints will take a slender advantage to Anfield for their second leg on January 25 after Nathan Redmond's first-half strike secured a deserved victory for the dominant hosts.

It was the three further opportunities Redmond spurned that wrangled Puel, although he was ultimately pleased with the performance. He said “It a great performance against this team but we are a little disappointed with the result considering the chances we had. It was important to win with a clean sheet ahead of the second leg at Liverpool, we had a strong, fantastic game. I think this was the first time Liverpool had just one chance in a game. We defended together very well and we played good football with many chances. In the end we were unlucky and unhappy with the result because we know away at Liverpool will be very difficult, but it was a good performance from my team. We were strong together and had very good spirit, it was very interesting. We played the same as we did against Liverpool in the Premier League, strong in defence with good possession but [in that game] we didn't have the possibility to have chances and to keep the ball and to control sometimes. This game was interesting because we stayed strong together in defence and were better with keeping the ball and counter attacks. It was a very good game but it's just the first leg and one goal ahead. We will see in the second leg.”

Southampton arrested a four-game winless streak while also taking a substantial stride towards their first League Cup final appearance since 1979.