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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 twice as Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1

(Updates with quotes, information)

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 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 been goaded by Saints fans earlier 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 completing previous McCarthy.

Elliott doubled the Reds' lead eight minutes later on 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 from simply inside package.

"We entered this game knowing the scenarios that Southampton were going through and knew they were going to come out combating and we were all set for it," Elliott told Sky sports betting.

The game was a tale of teams 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 place with simply one win.

"We have to defend the prize since the club won it last season, so we want to compete 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 watched the video game from the press box while serving a touchline restriction.

Palace had Arsenal attracting the fourth minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta nudged aside Gunners defender 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 stunning through ball into the box and the Brazilian cracked the ball over Dean Henderson.

'SUCH QUALITY'

Jesus, who had scored simply 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 8 minutes later on when he ran onto a ball from Odegaard behind Palace's back line before firing past Henderson.

"So pleased for (Jesus). It's been an extended period for him without goals," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told press reporters. "To score the three types of objectives and the lots of actions that he was associated with, it's a terrific thing for the group that we can rely 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' attempted clearance fell at his feet and he let loose a rocket from 20 backyards out-- his very first objective considering that his return in late-August from a 10-month restriction for breaching sports betting rules.

Tonali volleyed home Anthony Gordon's cross from near the charge spot prior to the break for his second goal, and Newcastle tripled their lead when Bruno Guimaraes sent a pass throughout the goal for Fabian Schar to tap home in the 69th.

"It was fantastic to see Sandro score the two that he did," Newcastle manager Eddie Howe told the BBC. "Just a really excellent feeling about the group at the minute. 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)