Arne Slot admitted he found it "difficult" at times knowing that he was not able to communicate with his players during Liverpool's Carabao Cup win against Southampton.

The Dutchman served a one-match touchline ban at St Mary's after he was shown his third yellow card of the season against Fulham last weekend.

Slot was still allowed to attend the match on the South Coast, but had to watch it from the stands as assistant Sipke Hulshoff was tasked with being the main man in Liverpool's technical area on the night.

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The Reds' head coach was asked by a Sky Sports reporter about his unfamiliar vantage point in Southampton and said: "You have a very good view of the game than when you are down in the dugout. But sometimes it is also difficult if you want to influence the players. But I have very good staff, so even when I wasn't around, they were able to get the game over the line."

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Meanwhile, Slot spoke of his desire for his side to defend the Carabao Cup, which was won by Jurgen Klopp last season.

The competition's semi-finals are guaranteed to feature four big English teams after Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle all progressed, and with either Tottenham or Manchester United to join them in the hat for the last-four draw on Thursday night.

"We have to defend the trophy because the club won it last season," Slot said. "I wasn't involved in it, but the players were and of course, Jurgen [Klopp] was with his staff. As a club we want to compete for all trophies.

"But we are also aware of Arsenal, Newcastle, Tottenham and Manchester United. It's a tough competition for sure."

The Reds put in a strong performance on the south coast despite playing a weakened side. There was a full debut for Trey Nyoni, while Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk were rested.

Harvey Elliott put in a man-of-the-match display, scoring the second of Liverpool's two goals after Darwin Nunez bagged the opener.