Liverpool beat Saints as Isak scores first goal but Ekitike sent off

Alexander Isak joined Liverpool on deadline day following a transfer saga

Alexander Isak claimed his first goal for Liverpool before Hugo Ekitike scored the winner and was sent off in a narrow victory over Southampton in the Carabao Cup third round.

Sweden striker Isak finished coolly in the 43rd minute after Federico Chiesa latched on to Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy's sloppy pass and cut the ball back to Isak.

But the Reds were not at their best and Shea Charles levelled on 76 minutes when Wataru Endo headed back towards his own goal, setting up a nervy finish.

Ekitike, who had replaced Isak at half-time and has impressed since his summer move to Merseyside, put the hosts back in front when Chiesa raced on to the ball and set up the Frenchman to slot home.

But, already on a booking for a foul early in the second half, Ekitike took off his shirt in celebration and was shown red, leaving Liverpool to see out the final four minutes plus stoppage time with 10 men - and he is now suspended for Saturday's Premier League trip to Crystal Palace.

Manager Arne Slot had made 11 changes to the side that beat Everton on Saturday and this was a far-from-perfect performance from his young team.

But Liverpool, 10-time winners of the competition, have reached the final in three of the past four seasons and it is that squad depth that they will need to lean on to do the same again.

Analysis: Liverpool leave it late again as Isak gets off the mark

Liverpool are already developing a habit of leaving things late this season and once again a late winner was needed to get over the line.

Ekitike's productive start to the season - three goals in Liverpool's five consecutive Premier League wins - has left Slot with a conundrum over which striker to favour, but Isak got the nod to start on Wednesday as he settles into his new side.

The 26-year-old joined from Newcastle in the summer for a British record transfer fee of £125m, but is being eased back into match fitness having refused to play in Newcastle's pre-season friendlies and at the start of the season.

This was just his second start for Liverpool with his debut coming last week in the Champions League win over Atletico Madrid.

Aside from forcing McCarthy into a good save in the opening minute, Isak was kept quiet until he efficiently took his chance for the goal.

But that was to be the last match action of the evening for Isak as he was replaced by Ekitike at half-time and, instead of heading down the tunnel for the team talk, stayed on the pitch to do sprinting drills.

The forward will have perhaps watched with slight concern as Ekitike once again stepped up to score the winner, but his sending-off means Isak will surely get another opportunity to impress at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Ekitike was shown a second yellow card for taking his shirt off during his goal celebration

Chiesa was a bright spark for Liverpool, setting up both goals and putting the ball in the back of the net himself after some clever passing between Ekitike and Endo inside the penalty box, but it was chalked off for offside.

Meanwhile, Southampton's difficult start to the season continues under manager Will Still with just one league win under their belt, leaving them two points above the Championship relegation zone.

Chances at Anfield are few and far between and Southampton should have taken theirs when Adam Armstrong's powerful strike clattered off the bar before Leo Scienza headed the rebound wide - 38 seconds before Isak opened the scoring at the other end.

What's next for these teams?

Liverpool face Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday, 27 September (15:00 BST) at Selhurst Park.

Southampton will aim to seal a second win of the season when they host Middlesbrough in the Championship, also on Saturday (15:00).