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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 two times as Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1

(Updates with quotes, details)

LONDON, Dec 18 (Reuters) -

Holders Liverpool booked 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 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 two times to lead Newcastle to a 3-1 win over Brentford.

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

Elliott doubled the Reds' lead eight minutes later when he unleashed 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 came into this game understanding the situations that Southampton were going through and knew they were going to come out fighting and we were prepared 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 supervisor Russell Martin following Sunday's 5-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur-- in last location with simply one win.

"We have to defend the prize because the club won it last season, so we wish to compete in every league and this is one of them, so we more than happy that we reached the semi-final," said Reds supervisor Arne Slot, who viewed the video game from the press box while serving a touchline restriction.

Palace had Arsenal reeling in the fourth minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta nudged aside Gunners protector Jakub Kiwior to acquire 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 out a beautiful through ball into package and the Brazilian chipped the ball over Dean Henderson.

'SUCH QUALITY'

Jesus, who had actually scored just when this season before Wednesday, netted his second 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 Odegaard behind Palace's back line before shooting previous Henderson.

"So happy for (Jesus). It's been a long duration for him without objectives," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta informed press reporters. "To score the 3 kinds of objectives and the numerous actions that he was included in, it's a great thing for the group that we can depend on a gamer with such quality."

Eddie Nketiah pulled one back for Palace late on when he jumped high to head home past .

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 very first goal given that his return in late-August from a 10-month ban for breaching wagering rules.

Tonali volleyed home Anthony Gordon's cross from near the penalty area right before the break for his 2nd goal, and Newcastle tripled their lead when Bruno Guimaraes sent out a pass across the goal for Fabian Schar to tap home in the 69th.

"It was great to see Sandro score the two that he did," Newcastle manager Eddie Howe informed the BBC. "Just a really good feeling about the group at the moment. 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.
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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)