Liverpool head to Southampton in the EFL Cup quarterfinals on December 18 in a clash between the two teams currently top and bottom of the Premier League rankings.
Arne Slot’s team lost some ground in the EPL title race over the weekend, as they were held to a 2-2 home draw against Fulham, with Southampton hammered 5-0 by Tottenham.
That defeat proved to be the final straw for Saints boss Russel Martin – who was sacked after the game – with Southampton picking up just five points from 16 games this season.
The club have confirmed coach Simon Rusk will step in to cover on an interim basis as the search for Martin’s replacement begins on the south coast.
MORE: Premier League schedule for 2024/25 | All the latest Arsenal news
Southampton vs. Liverpool lineups, starting 11, team news
Rusk is expected to follow Martin’s pattern of rotating players for EFL Cup games with the club’s clear priority focused on fighting Premier League relegation.
Aaron Ramsdale could come back into the starting team, following a wrist injury, but Gavin Bazunu, Will Smallbone, Juan Larios and Ross Stewart all remain out. Defender Jack Stephens serves the final game of a three-match suspension.
Southampton projected starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Ramsdale (GK) — Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Sugawara, Taylor — Aribo, Fernandes, Ugochukwu — Fraser, Amstrong, Archer.
Injured: Bazunu (Achilles), Stewart (calf), Smallbone (thigh), Larios (undisclosed).
Suspended: Stephens.
MORE: Premier League top scorer rankings | Latest La Liga top goal scorer list
Caoimhin Kelleher is expected to rotate in to replace Alisson in goal as fresh rumours grow over the Irish international leaving Anfield in 2025.
However, Slot’s main issue comes in defence, with Andy Robertson serving a one-game ban, and Ibrahima Konate, Kostas Tsimikas and Conor Bradley all injured.
Academy graduate James Norris could be drafted in at left-back with potential starts for Jarell Quansah and Diogo Jota.
Liverpool projected starting XI (4-4-1-1, right to left): Kelleher (GK) — Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Norris — Mac Allister, Endo, Jones — Salah, Jota, Gakpo.
Injured: Tsimikas (ankle), Bradley (thigh), Konate (knee).
Suspended: Robertson
Southampton vs. Liverpool live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this EFL Cup match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
