Nunez and Elliott on target as Liverpool win 2-1

Jesus bags treble as Arsenal beat Palace 3-2

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Tonali scores twice as Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1

(Updates with quotes, details)

LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) -

Holders Liverpool scheduled their berth in the League Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over Southampton at a wet and windy St Mary's Stadium on Wednesday, thanks to goals from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott.

Gabriel Jesus bagged a second-half hat-trick as Arsenal came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 3-2, and Sandro Tonali scored twice to lead Newcastle to a 3-1 win over Brentford.

Nunez, who had been goaded by Saints fans earlier in the game for a wild miss out on, got on the scoresheet in the 24th minute, striking after a mis-kick by centre back Jan Bednarek and a slip by keeper Alex McCarthy. Nunez put his finger to his lips in a gesture to the crowd after completing past McCarthy.
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Elliott doubled the Reds' lead eight minutes later on when he let loose a low, difficult shot from Cody Gakpo's pass. Cameron Archer pulled one back for the home side in the 59th minute with a curling shot from just inside package.

"We entered into this game knowing the situations that Southampton were going through and knew they were going to come out combating and we were all set for it," Elliott informed Sky sports betting.
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The video game was a tale of groups at opposite ends of the Premier League table, with Liverpool at the top and Southampton-- who sacked supervisor Russell Martin following Sunday's 5-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur-- in last place with just one win.
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"We need to defend the trophy since the club won it last season, so we wish to complete in every league and this is among them, so we enjoy that we reached the semi-final," said Reds supervisor Arne Slot, who enjoyed the video game from journalism box while serving a touchline restriction.

Palace had in the fourth minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta nudged aside Gunners protector Jakub Kiwior to lock onto a long ball and side-foot home.

But Arsenal thoroughly controlled the second half and Jesus equalised in the 54th minute when Martin Odegaard sent out a gorgeous through ball into the box and the Brazilian cracked the ball over Dean Henderson.

'SUCH QUALITY'

Jesus, who had scored simply when this season before Wednesday, netted his second in the 73rd minute when Bukayo Saka slipped the ball through for him to hammer home. He finished his hat-trick 8 minutes later when he ran onto a ball from Odegaard behind Palace's back line before shooting past Henderson.

"So pleased for (Jesus). It's been an extended period for him without goals," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told reporters. "To score the three types of objectives and the lots of actions that he was included in, it's a fantastic thing for the group that we can depend on a gamer with such quality."

Eddie Nketiah pulled one back for Palace late on when he leapt high to head home past David Raya.
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At St James' Park, Tonali scored in the ninth minute when Nathan Collins' attempted clearance fell at his feet and he released a rocket from 20 backyards out-- his very first goal because his return in late-August from a 10-month restriction for breaching wagering guidelines.

Tonali volleyed home Anthony Gordon's cross from near the penalty spot just before the break for his 2nd objective, and Newcastle tripled their lead when Bruno Guimaraes sent out a pass across the objective for Fabian Schar to tap home in the 69th.

"It was great to see Sandro score the 2 that he did," Newcastle boss Eddie Howe informed the BBC. "Just an actually excellent feeling about the group at the minute. We are constructing in confidence all the time."

Yoane Wissa pulled one back for Brentford in injury time however the game was well out of reach by then.

The last semi-final location is up for grabs on Thursday when Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester United.

(Reporting by Lori Ewing Editing by Toby Davis)