The Saints had opened up a two-goal lead in the first half when Taylor Harwood-Bellis rose highest in the box to head home from Matheus Fernandes' corner and Adam Armstrong converted a penalty after Jaden Dixon caught Yukinari Sugawara in the box.

Follow live coverage as Southampton face Stoke City in the EFL cup.Liverpool are the reigning champions of the competition following an extra time victory over Chelsea at Wembley last term, Virgil van Dijk scoring the decisive goal to secure a record-extending tenth win of this domestic cup for the Reds.

Russell Martin did not stick to his pre match promise of playing his best available side and made 6 changes to his starting outfield 10, after a promising start, the game faded into a familiar pattern.