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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 ratings two times as Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1
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(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 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 been goaded by Saints fans earlier in the video 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 8 minutes later on when he unleashed a low, tough 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 this game understanding the situations that Southampton were going through and knew they were going to come out fighting and we were all set for it," Elliott informed Sky sports betting.

The video 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 place with just one win.

"We need to safeguard the trophy due to the fact that the club won it last season, so we desire to contend 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 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 defender Jakub Kiwior to acquire a long ball and side-foot home.

But Arsenal completely dominated the second half and Jesus equalised in the 54th minute when Martin Odegaard sent a beautiful through ball into package and the Brazilian cracked the ball over Dean Henderson.

'SUCH QUALITY'

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

"So pleased for (Jesus). It's been a long period for him without goals," Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta told reporters. "To score the three kinds of objectives and the many actions that he was included in, it's a great 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' fell at his feet and he unleashed a rocket from 20 yards out-- his first objective because his return in late-August from a 10-month ban for breaching sports betting guidelines.

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

"It was terrific to see Sandro score the 2 that he did," Newcastle boss Eddie Howe told the BBC. "Just a really 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 however the video game was well out of reach already.
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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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