Thursday 12 January 2017 10:36, UK
Jurgen Klopp admitted goalkeeper Loris Karius kept Liverpool's hopes of EFL Cup success alive against Southampton.
The Merseysiders, looking to secure a record 13th League Cup final appearance, surrendered a seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions at St Mary's as Nathan Redmond handed Saints a narrow first-leg advantage with a 20th-minute strike.
It could have been a lot worse for Klopp's side had Redmond underscored Saints' superiority by converting one of three clear-cut chances, but the former Norwich man was thwarted by an in-form Karius.
The 23-year-old made a string of fine saves to keep a rampant Southampton side from putting the tie to bed.
"After the goal we conceded our reaction was not good," Klopp said. "We were not compact enough.
"Loris Karius had to save our life. It's a deserved win for Southampton but it's only half-time in the tie."
Klopp acknowledged his side's misgivings but, with the return leg at Anfield still to come, the Liverpool boss insisted the tie was still open.
"We lost timing," Klopp told Sky Sports. "We weren't compact enough. We can do much better.
"It was open and open games are difficult. Loris [Karius] had to save us a few times. It's only half-time so all good.
"We should have been clearer in our passing. Everything is [still] possible for us so it's okay.
"Tonight we were not good enough over the whole 90 minutes but we can do better and nobody should think it's already decided."
One positive for Liverpool was Philippe Coutinho's return to the first team, with the Brazilian making a 30-minute cameo after a seven-week injury lay-off.
His timely comeback comes days before Liverpool's trip to Manchester United, live on Sky Sports, and Klopp was impressed with the way he seamlessly slotted back into the first-team fold.
"All is good. It is good to have him back," Klopp said. "You could see immediately in a few moments how important he is to each team in the world, and for us especially, so that was good."
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