For the second time in less than a month, Liverpool make the long trip down to St. Mary’s to face Southampton.
The Saints produced one of their better performances of a torrid season thus far against the Reds in late November, but self-inflicted mistakes ensured the Premier League leaders escaped with a 3-2 victory.
They remain at the foot of the table and a humiliating 5-0 defeat at home to Tottenham on Sunday cost Russell Martin his job. As a result, Simon Rusk will be in interim charge for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final.
Liverpool are the current holders of the trophy after downing the “billion-pound bottlejobs” of Chelsea in last year’s final. However, that success didn’t prove to be the start of a glorious finale for Jurgen Klopp on Merseyside.
While Arne Slot has grander priorities in year one, success in this competition could act as a springboard for future triumphs. Liverpool are leading the way in both the Premier League and Champions League league phase, but the Reds have manifested vulnerabilities in recent outings.
Southampton supporters have been subject to abject goalkeeper performances in recent weeks, but they will soon get to enjoy Aaron Ramsdale between the sticks once more. Ramsdale confirmed over the weekend that he’ll be back in contention this week after a spell out.
Jan Bednarek returned from a knee injury on Sunday, but the Saints are still without suspended skipper Jack Stephens. He serves the last of his three-match ban on Wednesday.
Striker Paul Onuachu impressed against the Reds last month and could return to the starting XI in midweek having failed to feature since that 3-2 defeat through injury.
Andy Robertson is suspended for Wednesday’s cup tie following his sending-off at the weekend, but he will be able to return for Liverpool’s next Premier League game at Tottenham.
If Kostas Tsimikas isn’t fit enough to play, Slot will likely have to use Joe Gomez at left-back. Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley are also sidelined for the visitors.
There’s bound to be some rotation from Saturday’s XI, with Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo and Federico Chiesa among the players in contention to come into Slot’s team.
