Raheem Sterling's first goals since mid-September helped Liverpool end a miserable seven days with a place in the Capital One Cup semi-finals at the expense of Bournemouth.

The England winner ensured the blushes of former Saints stars Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren, who both started the match, on their return to the south coast in what was seen as a potential banana skin for the Merseyside club.

Sterling had endured a 22-game goal drought for club and country until he set Liverpool on their way to a 3-1 away win with a close-range header past on-loan Saints keeper Artur Boruc.

Lazar Markovic, fresh from his controversial red card as the Reds exited Europe, grabbed the second before a trademark Sterling run ended with his fifth of the season to put the smiles back on the faces of supporters after their Old Trafford defeat.

Dan Gosling, who memorably netted a cup winner to beat Liverpool in his Everton days, pulled a goal back and then rattled a post as the Championship leaders relinquished their 12-game unbeaten run.

Despite controlling possession Bournemouth could only muster a wayward effort from Simon Francis and a header from Cargill in the final 10 minutes but they bowed out with their heads held high.

Former Saint Lallana had nothing but praise for Raheem Sterling after the match. He told Sky Sports: “We knew we would have to show quality tonight and the little man (Sterling) was brilliant.

“Week in, week out he’s worked hard and eventually his goals were going to come, and it’s a credit to how mature he is at such a young age.”

Lallana admitted Liverpool had felt the pressure at times during the match, saying: “The crowd got behind them but at half-time we said they were going to have a spell. They're the home team and we needed to be professional, and we came out and got the third goal.”

Liverpool will go on to play Chelsea in the two-legged semi-final in January.

Meanwhile, Sheffield United, who put Saints out on Tuesday night, will face Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur in the other semi-final.

Spurs demolished Newcastle 4-0 in a stylish display at White Hart Lane this evening.