Forster’s heroics thwart Liverpool

FRASER FORSTER produced a stunning save to dump Liverpool out of the EFL Cup and send Southampton into their first major final since 2003. Saints sealed the tie with an injury-time winner courtesy of a rapid counter-attack which was clinically finished by Shane Long. But it was former Celtic goalkeeper Forster who stole the show after his stunning save to deny Liverpool midfielder Emre Can. Forster initially looked to have made a mess of dealing with Can’s shot, allowing the ball to squirm from his grasp. But, after it had spun away from him and looked certain to cross the line, he scrambled back and clawed it away from a near impossible angle. It summed up a magnificent night of resilience for Southampton, who will now meet Manchester United or Hull City — most likely United — to decide the first trophy of the English season. It is a long time since Southampton won a trophy — 1976, in an FA Cup final with United — but do not bet against a repeat. This was a mighty, brave display, surviving a second-half onslaught from Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, having conjured enough chances to have won the tie by half-time. Forster and Saints certainly seem to have the Indian sign over Klopp’s men; this being the third time that Liverpool have failed to score against them this season. It certainly wasn’t for the want of trying last night, with Forster and his defenders having to produce some truly magnificent tackles, blockes and saves, particularly in the second half. But that was perhaps to be expected, given that Saints have now reached the final without conceding a single goal. ‘Southampton won both games in this semi-final and they deserve to go ahead to the final,’ admitted Klopp. ‘We cannot really have done any more to win the game. ‘We were dominant for long periods. I am pleased with the performance, but not the final result.’ GEORGE GRANT