INTERIM boss Simon Rusk revealed goalscorer Cameron Archer shook off a minor illness to net his goal in Southampton's 2-1 Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat to Liverpool.

Archer, who halved the deficit in the second half with a thumping effort, had struggled with a cold before Wednesday evening's game at St Mary's.

First-half goals from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott ensured Premier League leaders progressed to the Carabao Cup semi-final despite Archer's goal.

Southampton were frustrated that a foul by Jarell Quansah on Mateus Fernandes was not given when the Portuguese was through on goal in additional time.

Asked about Archer's performance, Rusk told the Daily Echo: "We discussed as a team (about) maybe simplifying our actions in the first half. 

"That meant from time to time we were going to ask Cam to try and hold the ball up for us if we were going long from goal kicks. 

"It was a hard task but I thought he gave it everything and in the end, in the second half, it's a fabulous goal.

"I thought his contribution was excellent and he'd had a bit of a cold. He wasn't feeling so well the last couple of days.

"It was in my thinking to make sure that we looked after him in terms of freshness and energy. I thought the goal was excellent."

Archer, who joined from Aston Villa this summer, has now scored five goals across all competitions this season.

His goal against Liverpool ended a nine-game drought - his last goal before Wednesday came against Leicester in October.