Nunez and Elliott on target as Liverpool win 2-1
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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, information)

LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) -

Holders Liverpool reserved 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.
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Nunez, who had actually been goaded by Saints fans previously in the video game for a wild miss, got on the scoresheet in the 24th minute, pouncing 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 ending up previous McCarthy.

Elliott doubled the Reds' lead 8 minutes later when he unleashed 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 the box.

"We entered into this game knowing the scenarios that Southampton were going through and knew they were going to come out battling and we were prepared for it," Elliott informed Sky sports betting.

The game was a tale of groups at opposite ends of the Premier League table, with Liverpool at the top and Southampton-- who sacked manager Russell Martin following Sunday's 5-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur-- in last location with just one win.

"We need to protect the prize because the club won it last season, so we want to compete in every league and this is one of them, so we more than happy that we reached the semi-final," stated Reds supervisor Arne Slot, who watched the game from the press box while serving a touchline restriction.

Palace had Arsenal drawing in the 4th minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta nudged aside Gunners protector Jakub Kiwior to 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 lovely through ball into the box and the Brazilian broke the ball over Dean Henderson.

'SUCH QUALITY'

Jesus, who had actually scored just as soon as 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 previous Henderson.

"So delighted for (Jesus). It's been a long period for him without objectives," Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta told reporters. "To score the three types of goals and the lots of actions that he was included in, it's a great thing for the group that we can count 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.

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 yards out-- his first objective considering that his return in late-August from a 10-month ban for breaching wagering guidelines.

Tonali volleyed home Anthony Gordon's cross from near the charge area prior to the break for his second objective, and Newcastle tripled their lead when Bruno Guimaraes sent a pass throughout the goal for Fabian Schar to tap home in the 69th.

"It was great to see Sandro score the 2 that he did," Newcastle employer Eddie Howe informed the BBC. "Just an actually great feeling about the group at the moment. We are integrating in self-confidence all the time."

Yoane Wissa pulled one back for Brentford in injury time but the video game was well out of reach already.

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

(Reporting by Lori Ewing Editing by Toby Davis)
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