Koeman blames defence and himself for Liverpool thumping
Southampton's 6-1 League Cup thrashing against Liverpool might not have been so severe but for a tactical switch said Ronald Koeman.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/W7ddW8jC6crYh93BQy72n.jpg)
Ronald Koeman accepted a portion of the blame for Southampton's 6-1 thrashing in the League Cup quarter-final against Liverpool.
The hosts raced ahead after 39 seconds at St Mary's through Sadio Mane but their evening unravelled after Daniel Sturridge fired a 25th-minute equaliser
England striker Sturridge added a quick-fire second and Divock Origi scored his first Liverpool goal on the stroke of half-time.
One would become three as the Belgium international registered a hat-trick with second-half goals either side of a clinical finish from substitute Jordon Ibe.
Koeman switched to a back three at the interval in an attempt to plot a path back into the contest - a move that he conceded backfired.
"That is not the result we expect," the Dutchman told Sky Sports. "A great start but if you make the mistakes defensively we did in the first half and consider the top quality of Liverpool, then you can lose.
"The second half is my responsibility. I changed the system, I made the risk of three at the back.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"The first goal of Liverpool is a throw in and you see how easily they play, that is not good. The have a great energy and they have qualities in the team.
"We gave them that space, those opportunities and if you give a man like Daniel Sturridge that space he will kill you."
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack