Fans react as Southampton establish slender lead over Liverpool in their League Cup semi-final

Nathan Redmond’s first goal since October secured Southampton a deserved 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

Jay Rodriguez pounced on a Ragnar Klavan error to feed the England Under-21 international, who finished calmly past the on-rushing Loris Karius to give Claude Puel’s side the lead.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will have his goalkeeper to thank for keeping them in the game, and indeed the tie, following a string of fine saves, including twice denying Redmond in the opening period.

The Saints forward also hit the bar in the second half as the home side looked to double their advantage, but they’ll be satisfied to take a lead to Anfield in two weeks’ time after a much-improved performance.

Puel’s men will be happy with the win but disappointed not to scored more, while the Reds will rue a poor display at St Mary’s on Wednesday night, yet be pretty satisfied to be only one goal down.

Unsurprisingly, many supporters took to Twitter after the game to express their views on yesterday’s proceedings, with several Southampton fans delighted with their team’s efforts against Klopp’s men…

Brilliant performance tonight from each and every one of them. 90 minutes from Wembley.. still a tall order but it's a chance #saintsfc

— Sam Lane (@officialsamlane) January 11, 2017

that'll give the team the confidence they need! incredible performance from all the lads! #SaintsFC #WeMarchOn

— charlotte FREE PALESTINE 🇵🇸 (@char1ottedennis) January 11, 2017

Have been highly critical of Puel and Saints this season, but credit where credit is due, that was an excellent performance! #saintsfc

— James Truscott (@Truzza1987) January 11, 2017

Puel spot on tonight, great performance by everyone, ref shocking, happy with win…. should of been more #saintsfc

— Craig Sturgess (@sturge198) January 11, 2017

Some Saints fans picked out the match-winner Redmond and centre-back Maya Yoshida for particular praise…

Think it's about time people stopped degrading Yoshida too after tonight's performance. That's pundits and fans alike #saintsfc

— Katie Fenner (@KatieBall3) January 11, 2017

Nathan Redmond's best game in a #saintsfc shirt tonight! Started showing glimpses of the player I liked at Norwich

— Matt Ashley (@MattAshley1) January 11, 2017

https://twitter.com/giveawaydowly/status/819312797695803392

https://twitter.com/WillFoxGolf/status/819319927307988992

https://twitter.com/ohnoitstruscott/status/819303482918391814

Yet some are concerned that they will rue those many missed chances when they go to Anfield on January 25…

Good win. Should've had more goals. #SaintsFC

— Jeff 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (@JeffSFCx) January 11, 2017

Great performance tonight, more of the same please. Should have scored more, could cost us, but Puel needs to stick with this 11. #saintsfc

— Mark Reed (@MarkReed913) January 11, 2017

Oh being a #saintsfc fan. We win a game against #LFC but it's not 3 points. We should have scored more but we spurned chances.

— TractorSaint 🌐 (@TractorSaint) January 11, 2017

Many Liverpool fans admitted that their side were fortunate to still be in the tie after a really disappointing performance…

Lucky to get away with a 1-0 defeat. Poorest performance of the season. Play like that on Sunday and united will batter us #Lfc

— Tom Stones (@StonesyTheRed) January 11, 2017

https://twitter.com/AnfieId360/status/819300265597747204

So lucky it was only one nil. No forward passes whatsoever. Terrible night, but gotta take this on the chin and look to Utd #LFC

— Suraj Grewal (@lfcsurajg93) January 11, 2017

https://twitter.com/AlexHolbourn/status/819346656495890432

Yet some are convinced that Klopp’s men will be better at Anfield in a fortnight’s time and thus do enough to reach the final…

We're lucky to lose just 1-0 after such a horrible performance. We'll definitely play much better in Anfield and go through. #LFC

— Liverpool Red (@lfcredynwa) January 11, 2017

What an absolutely terrible game that was, lucky to come away with it only being 1-0 tbh. Need to blow them away at Anfield! #LFC #EFLCup

— Jacob Edwards (@Jacob_Owen7) January 11, 2017

https://twitter.com/ScottAnderson87/status/819306297912946688