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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 scores twice as Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1

(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 twice to lead Newcastle to a 3-1 win over Brentford.

Nunez, who had been goaded by Saints fans previously 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 finishing previous McCarthy.

Elliott doubled the Reds' lead 8 minutes later when he released 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 situations that Southampton were going through and knew they were going to come out battling and we were prepared for it," Elliott told Sky sports betting.

The video game was a tale of groups at opposite ends of the Premier League table, with Liverpool at the summit 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 defend the prize due to the fact that the club won it last season, so we wish to complete in every league and this is one of them, so we're pleased that we reached the semi-final," said Reds manager Arne Slot, who enjoyed the video game from the press box while serving a touchline restriction.

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

But Arsenal thoroughly dominated the 2nd half and Jesus equalised in the 54th minute when Martin Odegaard sent a stunning through ball into the box and the Brazilian chipped the ball over Dean Henderson.

'SUCH QUALITY'

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

"So happy for (Jesus). It's been an extended period for him without objectives," Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta told reporters. "To score the three types of objectives and the many actions that he was associated with, it's a terrific thing for the group that we can rely on a gamer with such quality."
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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 lawns out-- his very first objective since his return in late-August from a 10-month restriction for breaching sports betting guidelines.

Tonali volleyed home Anthony Gordon's cross from near the charge area prior to 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 great to see Sandro score the 2 that he did," Newcastle boss Eddie Howe informed the BBC. "Just a truly excellent sensation about the group at the minute. We are developing in confidence all the time."

Yoane Wissa pulled one back for in injury time but the 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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