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Christina Unkel believes Jarell Quansah should have been sent off for Liverpool vs Southampton (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images2024 Liverpool FC)(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images2024 Liverpool FC)
Liverpool would have had an even more nervy final few minutes of their Carabao Cup tie against Southampton had Jarell Quansah been sent off.
Former referee Christina Unkel has suggested that should have been the case and that a lack of VAR helped the defender.
A defensive injury and suspension crisis had partly forced Arne Slot's hand with his team selection as he named a defence of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Wataru Endo, Quansah and Joe Gomez.
Many of Liverpool's big hitters - including Mohamed Salah - were left at home, whilst plenty of rotation took place throughout.
By the end of the 90 minutes the back four had changed to remove Alexander-Arnold and Gomez, with midfielder Tyler Morton dropping into right full-back and Kostas Tsimikas returned from injury on the opposite flank as a second half substitute.
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Liverpool cruised into a 2-0 first-half lead, but with Southampton having halved the deficit just before the hour mark, things were nervy enough before Matheus Fernandes attempted to latch onto a deceiving Alex McCarthy clearance, leading to a tussle with last-man Quansah bearing down on Caoimhin Kelleher's goal.
Referee Simon Hooper chose to rule in the Liverpool defender's favour as he watched the incident chasing from behind, and with no VAR employed in the Carabao Cup before the final that was what stuck.
"Did he or did he not foul him?
At least for the coming weekend Virgil van Dijk should return after a rest, plus Tsimikas is back fit and playing.
The 2-1 win means progression, and Liverpool will discover their Carabao Cup semi-final opponents in Thursday night's draw, having escaped a red card verdict.
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