In the last round of Premier League games before the World Cup, on Saturday, Southampton will lock horns with Liverpool at Anfield.
Liverpool vs Southampton: Preview
Caoimhin Kelleher was Liverpool’s savior from the penalty spot, not for the first time in the EFL Cup and probably not for the last time, as a young Reds team defeated League One’s Derby on penalties following a 0-0 draw in Wednesday’s third-round match.
Even though Jurgen Klopp’s team failed twice from 12 yards, Kelleher saved three penalty penalties until Harvey Elliott converted the game-winning kick to preserve Liverpool’s hopes of winning back-to-back EFL Cups alive.
Since the beginning of November, Liverpool have also defeated Napoli and Tottenham Hotspur, with Mohamed Salah scoring a brace against the North London side last weekend before Harry Kane’s consolation. Liverpool appears to be entering the World Cup break on a high note.
Liverpool ended their two-game losing streak in the Premier League at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but they are still outsiders in the race for a place in Europe. They are currently eighth in the standings and seven points outside the Champions League spots, despite having a game in hand over some of the teams above them.
Liverpool now have the opportunity to win four straight games for the first time this season, and stopping Derby made it five clean sheets from their past six home games in all competitions, with that 2-1 loss to Leeds United being the one exception.
Of course, after Liverpool lost one Premier League game at Anfield in the 2020–21 season, they went on to suffer a staggering six consecutive losses at home, and meanwhile, Southampton desperately needs a win under their new manager. However, The Saints are yet to win a game away from home against the Reds in their last 8 head-to-head battles. As far as the records go, the Scousers have won nine out of the last ten games in Premier League against Southampton.
Team News
It is still unknown if Joel Matip (calf) or Naby Keita (thigh) will be able to compete this weekend while the Liverpool medical room is still filled by the trio of Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, and Arthur.
Fortunately, Klopp will have more choices in the engine room when James Milner emerges from the concussion protocol. Additionally, the Reds manager was not opposed to starting players like Stefan Bajcetic, Calvin Ramsay, Melkamu Frauendorf, and Layton Stewart in the EFL Cup.
With Salah aiming to score 100 goals in 100 Premier League games at Anfield, Klopp should stick with the same starting lineup that defeated Tottenham last weekend after giving the youngsters a chance to play in midweek.
In 99 Premier League home games for Liverpool, the Egyptian has scored 70 goals and provided 29 assists. Only Thierry Henry has made at least 100 contributions in at least 100 of these games in Premier League history.
Given the injuries to Valentino Livramento and Kyle Walker-Peters, Jones may continue to use a three-man backline, as he did in the latter stages of his tenure as Luton Town’s manager.
Juan Larios, 18, began as a right-back against Newcastle but left the game in the first half with an adductor injury. However, after Wednesday’s EFL Cup victory, there are no new injuries to worry about for The Saints.
In midweek, acting manager Ruben Selles gave Sekou Mara and Sam Edozie the chance to make an impression right away, but Jones should trust Che Adams and Mohamed Elyounoussi at Anfield.
The Predicted XI
Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Thiago, Fabinho, Henderson, Elliott, Firmino, Salah
A 4-3-3 formation might be under the consideration for Klopp.
What do we predict at Anfield Home
Liverpool 3-0 Southampton
At Anfield, Southampton’s new manager is unlikely to make much of a difference because Liverpool will be bringing back all of their star players after a well-deserved break for the World Cup.
Southampton have struggled to score on the road recently, so we can only imagine Klopp’s crop cruising to victory in front of their own supporters.
