Harvey Elliott praised Liverpool's “team performance” after they beat Southampton 2-1 at St Mary's Stadium to advance to the semi-finals of the EFL Cup.
Darwin Nunez gave his side the lead on the south coast before Elliott scored their second goal in a dominant first half.
Cameron Archer pulled one back after 59 minutes, giving the Saints half an hour to put pressure on Liverpool's young team, but the visitors held on.
Reds boss Arne Slot had left Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Mohamed Salah out of his squad entirely, fielding Tyler Morton and Trey Nyoni from the start and other young players off the bench.
Elliott was pleased with how each individual contributed to a win that keeps their chances of lifting this trophy alive for the third time in four seasons.
He said: “We came into the game knowing the conditions that Southampton were in [who are managerless] went through it and knew they would come out fighting.
“We were ready. Some of us haven't played much this season, we had some very young guys in the team.
“We fought as a team and luckily we won.”
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Liverpool are now twenty games unbeaten in all competitions, with the only blemish being a defeat against Nottingham Forest in September.
It's a different story for Southampton, however, who are seven games without a win but can take some encouragement from the way they fought back into the game in the second half.
Elliott said: “I wouldn't say I was surprised by Southampton because they caused us problems in the Premier League too.
“They are not afraid to play from the back and take risks. Credit to them, they caused us problems today.
“We had to make sure we were strong and defended as well as possible as a team. And despite conceding one goal, we did very well.”
Slot, who was serving a touchline ban, watched the match from the St Mary's press box but was pleased his side could seal progression to the last four.
The Dutchman is now determined to make it count by retaining the trophy in March.
He said: “It doesn't really matter what your back line is as long as you have the ball as much as we did in the first half. Then you are in control.”
“In the second half the control wasn't that good so your defenders are exposed, especially if they aren't defenders. We handled it very well and only conceded one or two chances.
“We have to defend the trophy because the club won it last season. As a club we want to compete for all the trophies, but we are also aware of Arsenal, Newcastle [United]Tottenham and Manchester United. It's tough competition.”
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