By Gary Fulcher.
Liverpool head into the EFL Cup semi-final second leg against Southampton at Anfield on Wednesday evening – 8pm kick off UK time – a goal down following the 0-1 defeat at St Mary’s two weeks ago. With Manchester Utd all but Wembley bound following their 2-0 semi-final first leg victory over Hull City, Liverpool will be hoping to make it a repeat of the 2003 final and join the Red Devils at Wembley on February 26.
Unlike European competition, the away goals rule only comes into effect if the scores are level after extra-time, which means Liverpool will need to win by two clear goals if Southampton score, either within 90 minutes or during extra-time. The only way this tie can be decided on penalties would be if Liverpool won 1-0 after extra-time.
That latter scenario if of course what happened at this stage of the competition last season in reverse, with Liverpool winning the first leg 1-0 at Stoke before losing the second leg at Anfield 0-1.
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