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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

(Updates with quotes, details)

LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) -

Holders Liverpool reserved their berth in the League Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over Southampton at a damp 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 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 earlier in the 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 finishing 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 simply inside the box.

"We came into this video game knowing the situations that Southampton were going through and knew they were going to come out fighting and we were all set for it," Elliott told 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 prize since the club won it last season, so we want to complete in every league and this is one of them, so we enjoy that we reached the semi-final," stated Reds manager Arne Slot, who saw the game from journalism box while serving a touchline restriction.

Palace had Arsenal attracting the 4th minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta pushed aside Gunners defender Jakub Kiwior to acquire a long ball and side-foot home.

But Arsenal completely controlled the 2nd half and Jesus equalised in the 54th minute when Martin Odegaard sent out a stunning through ball into package and the Brazilian cracked 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 completed his hat-trick eight minutes later on when he ran onto a ball from Odegaard behind Palace's back line before firing previous Henderson.

"So delighted for (Jesus). It's been an extended period for him without objectives," Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta told press reporters. "To score the 3 types of goals and the numerous actions that he was associated with, 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 jumped 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 unleashed 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 simply before the break for his second objective, and their lead when Bruno Guimaraes sent 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 boss Eddie Howe told the BBC. "Just an actually good sensation about the group at the minute. We are integrating in confidence all the time."

Yoane Wissa pulled one back for Brentford in injury time however 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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