Southampton vs Liverpool - Competition: English League Cup
Southampton team go into this match in pretty miserable form having lost
their last three EPL matches – two of which were at St.
Mary's. They currently sit in 10th place, a hefty 15 points below
Man United who are in sixth spot. The Saints have progressed to
this stage of the EFL Cup without conceding a single goal. They have
beaten Crystal Palace (2-0), Sunderland (1-0) and Arsenal (2-0 at the
Emirates).
Matt Targett and Charlie Austin are both injured while Sofiane Boufal has withdrawn from the Morocco squad for the Africa Cup of Nations and is expected to miss three weeks with a knee injury. Jose Fonte isn't currently being considered for selection after handing in a transfer request but Cedric Soares and Cuco Martina are back in contention. Up front, Jay Rodriguez could be rested, meaning that Shane Long will start as central striker with Nathan Redmond and Dusan Tadic on his flanks.
Matt Targett and Charlie Austin are both injured while Sofiane Boufal has withdrawn from the Morocco squad for the Africa Cup of Nations and is expected to miss three weeks with a knee injury. Jose Fonte isn't currently being considered for selection after handing in a transfer request but Cedric Soares and Cuco Martina are back in contention. Up front, Jay Rodriguez could be rested, meaning that Shane Long will start as central striker with Nathan Redmond and Dusan Tadic on his flanks.
Liverpool team enter this clash on the back of a disappointing goalless draw
in English FA Cup against League 2 side Plymouth at Anfield on Sunday, in which
Jurgen Klopp fielded the youngest ever starting line up. As to the
English Premier League, they currently find themselves sat in second place, five
points behind the leaders Chelsea and two ahead of Tottenham in third.
The Reds have won three of their last five matches at St. Mary’s and
have scored 13 goals in the process. Anyway, they were held to a
goalless draw when they visited the South coast back in November. In
this competition they have defeated Burton Albion (5-0), Derby County
(3-0), Tottenham (2-1) and Leeds (2-0).
Philippe Coutinho is expected to make his first appearance since November while Mane is away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal. James Milner is also set to be available again and Loris Karius is "pretty likely" to start in goal. Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi are in contention for a starting berth as central forward, while Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino look sure to play out wide.
Philippe Coutinho is expected to make his first appearance since November while Mane is away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal. James Milner is also set to be available again and Loris Karius is "pretty likely" to start in goal. Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi are in contention for a starting berth as central forward, while Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino look sure to play out wide.
Southampton last 5 matches:
18/12/16 Bournemouth 1 – 3 Southampton28/12/16 Southampton 1 – 4 Tottenham
31/12/16 Southampton 1 – 2 West Brom
02/01/17 Everton 3 – 0 Southampton
07/01/17 Norwich City 2 – 2 Southampton
Liverpool last 5 matches:
19/12/16 Everton 0 – 1 Liverpool27/12/16 Liverpool 4 – 1 Stoke City
31/12/16 Liverpool 1 – 0 Man City
02/01/17 Sunderland 2 – 2 Liverpool
08/01/17 Liverpool 0 – 0 Plymouth Argyle
Date: 11 January 2017
Kick-off Time: 19:45 GMT
Venue: St. Mary’s Stadium, Southampton
Kick-off Time: 19:45 GMT
Venue: St. Mary’s Stadium, Southampton
