AnalysisFive talking points from Liverpool 3-0 Southampton

A debut goal from Lewis Koumas and Jayden Danns’ second-half brace gave Jürgen Klopp’s side victory in their fifth-round tie, setting up a trip to Manchester United in the last eight.

Here are five things we noticed during the clash with Saints…

Koumas lives the dream

Start as you mean to go on, they say. Koumas did exactly that here.

Handed his professional debut, the 18-year-old took just 44 minutes to net his first senior goal, collecting Bobby Clark’s pass impressively before steering a low shot into Southampton goalkeeper Joe Lumley’s near post from 18 yards with the help of a deflection.

It was reward for an enterprising first half from Koumas, whose willingness to run at defenders was on display from the word go. The teenager might have had an assist for Cody Gakpo immediately after his goal too, only for the Dutchman to drag his effort wide.

Nonetheless, this was another special evening for another Academy graduate. Koumas was given a standing ovation when replaced by Danns in the 63rd minute.

His first taste of senior action could hardly have gone better.

Danns doubles up

Three games, two goals and one trophy. Danns has had quite a week and quite an introduction to professional football.

Having made his Premier League debut against Luton Town seven days ago, and having featured at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final win on Sunday, the young Scouser emerged from the bench here to formally announce himself to the Kop.

On for Koumas, Danns scored twice in the final 17 minutes of the game, showcasing all of the striking instincts that have brought him 21 goals at youth level this season.

His first was a beautiful, dinked finish from Harvey Elliott’s pass, while his second was a poacher’s effort, following up after Conor Bradley’s shot was pushed out by Lumley.

Welcome to the party, Jayden.

Nyoni makes history

There were other youngsters to admire on the night, too. Clark was superb in midfield, while James McConnell had a productive hour and both Jarell Quansah and Bradley performed impressively at the back.

Then came an even younger addition, Trey Nyoni becoming the youngest FA Cup player in Liverpool’s history and the third-youngest in any competition, when he replaced Elliott 12 minutes from time.

At 16 years and 243 days, Nyoni is another with a bright future ahead of him, and acquitted himself well in his short time on the field.

The seniors stand tall

It wasn’t just about the young guns, either.

There were big performances on the night from Caoimhin Kelleher, who made a string of fine saves as Southampton threatened, and from Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, who split duties alongside Quansah at centre-back.

Joe Gomez, too, should be proud of his evening’s work. The No.2 started in an unfamiliar holding midfield position, but performed admirably, helping his side to what in the end was a hugely impressive victory.

“For the first time on that position, in the middle of the park with chaos around him because nothing was settled, I couldn’t respect it more,” was the tribute to Gomez from the manager post-match.

Manchester United await

Liverpool knew before kick-off that victory against Saints would set up an away tie in the quarter-finals.

And thanks to Manchester United’s last-gasp win at Nottingham Forest, Klopp’s side have a tantalising trip to Old Trafford to look forward to next month.

The game will be played on the weekend of March 16/17, which means the Reds’ Premier League clash with Everton, originally scheduled for that date, will now be rearranged.

One rival replaces another, for Klopp and his side.