Half-Time Report: Daniel Sturridge brace gives Liverpool lead

Liverpool have headed into half time with a 3-1 lead over Southampton in their League Cup quarter-final tie after Daniel Sturridge netted twice in the first half at St Mary's.

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The visitors were stunned in the opening minute of the tie as Sadio Mane rose up highest in the box to meet a cross from Ryan Bertrand, heading the ball in at the far post to put Southampton ahead just seconds after kickoff.

It nearly got worse for Liverpool a few minutes later as Victor Wanyama charged forward to meet a cross in from the opposite flank, but Alex Bogdan was able to deal with the threat.

Jurgen Klopp's side were back on level terms midway through the period as Joe Allen played the ball forward to Sturridge, who recovered from a poor first touch to blast the ball into the back of the net.

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Despite the striker's recent injury woes, Sturridge was in again just a couple of minutes later as Emre Can lofted the ball into the box, leaving the forward with a simple first-time finish past the helpless Maarten Stekelenburg.

The away side increased their lead further on the cusp of half time as Alberto Moreno was left open on the edge of the box, leaving him to pounce on a clearance from a corner and hammer the ball into the bottom left to leave Liverpool in control at the break.