Why Liverpool and Arsenal can make light work of Carabao Cup rivals
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Southampton begin life without Russell Martin at the helm when they turn their attentions away from their struggles at the bottom of the Premier League table to their attempt to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals. The only problem is, after getting torn apart by Tottenham they now have to face Liverpool, who are flying high despite being held to a 2-2 draw by Fulham at Anfield on Saturday.
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Saints’ search for a new manager will be an interesting one as whoever takes chargefaces an impossible task to prevent them making an immediate return to the Championship after beating Leeds United in the play-off final at Wembley at the end of last season.
![[Arsenal FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2188277200.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Most of the usual suspects will give the job a hard swerve as promotion from the second tier in English football is a difficult one to navigate and Luton, who were unfortunate not to stay in the top flight last term, are closer to dropping into League One than vaulting straight back into the promised land.
Martin paid the price for being too successful too soon and then failing to budge from his principles when they clearly weren’t working at the highest level. His dismissal was on the cards for some time despite the Southampton board giving him a long leash.
St Mary’s Stadium emptied at an astonishing rate once Tottenham went 3-0 up in 14 minutes on Sunday and it is ironic that Martin was fired after losing heavily to a side managed by Ange Postecoglou, who is similarly adamant that it is his way or the highway in terms of football philosophies.
