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 triumph over Southampton at a wet and windy St Mary's Stadium on Wednesday, thanks to objectives from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott.

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

Nunez, who had actually been goaded by Saints fans earlier in the game for a wild miss out on, 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 past McCarthy.

Elliott doubled the Reds' lead eight minutes later on when he let loose a low, hard shot from Cody Gakpo's pass. Cameron Archer pulled one back for the home side in the 59th minute with a curling shot from simply inside the box.

"We entered this video game knowing the scenarios that Southampton were going through and understood they were going to come out battling and we were ready for it," Elliott told Sky sports betting.

The game was a tale of teams 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 simply one win.

"We need to safeguard the prize since the club won it last season, so we wish to contend in every league and this is among them, so we enjoy that we reached the semi-final," said Reds supervisor Arne Slot, who saw the game from the press box while serving a touchline ban.

Palace had Arsenal attracting the 4th minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta nudged aside Gunners protector Jakub Kiwior to lock onto a long ball and side-foot home.

But Arsenal thoroughly dominated 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 chipped the ball over Dean Henderson.

'SUCH QUALITY'

Jesus, who had actually scored just when this season before Wednesday, netted his 2nd in the 73rd minute when Bukayo Saka slipped the ball through for him to hammer home. He finished his hat-trick 8 minutes later on when he ran onto a ball from behind Palace's back line before shooting past Henderson.

"So happy for (Jesus). It's been an extended period for him without goals," Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta told reporters. "To score the 3 kinds of goals and the numerous actions that he was involved in, it's a fantastic thing for the team 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 goal given that his return in late-August from a 10-month ban for breaching wagering rules.
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Tonali volleyed home Anthony Gordon's cross from near the penalty spot right before the break for his second goal, and Newcastle tripled their lead when Bruno Guimaraes sent out a pass throughout the goal for Fabian Schar to tap home in the 69th.

"It was excellent to see Sandro score the two that he did," Newcastle manager Eddie Howe informed the BBC. "Just a truly good sensation about the group at the minute. We are constructing in self-confidence all the time."

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

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)
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