Here’s our Southampton Vs Liverpool preview, prediction, team news and predicted lineups ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final at St. Mary’s.
Southampton Vs Liverpool Preview
These two sides could not be enjoying more different seasons. High-flying Liverpool are top of the Premier League with 11 wins from 15 games, and have only been beaten once in all competitions.
Arne Slot’s imperious Reds have won six from six in the Champions League, and top that table as well.
A frustrating 2-2 draw with Fulham last time out has slowed their domestic momentum, but Liverpool are still two points clear of Chelsea with a game in hand.
Arsenal and Manchester City’s poor recent form has left the title race looking like a straight fight between the Reds of Liverpool and the Blues of Chelsea.
But first, Slot’s side must negotiate a Carabao Cup quarter-final against manager-less Southampton.
We can confirm that we have taken the difficult decision to part ways with our Men’s First Team Manager, Russell Martin.
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) December 15, 2024
Both the manner and frequency of such results had left the Southampton board with no choice but to part ways with the coach that brought them back to the top flight via the Championship playoffs last season.
It was a sad ending to what had started as a great relationship. But football is a results business, and nowhere is it more ruthless than the Premier League.
Southampton have won just once all season and sit rock-bottom of the table, nine points from safety.
It’s unclear if they will have a new manager in place by Wednesday’s cup match. But whoever comes in will need to quickly sure up their incredibly porous defence if they wish to avoid another embarrassing thrashing on home turf.
Southampton Vs Liverpool Team News
A shred of positivity for Southampton is the possible return of Aaron Ramsdale in goal. After missing recent losses with a broken finger, he will slot back in as soon as he’s fit after Lumley and McCarthy were less than convincing deputies.
Captain Jack Stephens will serve the last match of his three-game ban after his red card against Chelsea.
Interim manager Simon Rusk may opt to keep a full-strength side out in midweek to try and avoid another morale-crushing hammering.
For Liverpool, Andy Robertson is suspended after being sent off at the weekend. Alexis Mac Allister is back from his ban, though, and could come in as Slot rotates his squad ahead of tougher fixtures.
Diogo Jota may also start as he builds back to full fitness, having scored on his return against Fulham.
In goal, Alisson may be rested for Caoimhin Kelleher – who has played so far in this competition. Arne Slot has so far rested both Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk, but with defensive options limited, we could see Van Dijk start this one.
All three of Ibrahima Konate, Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas are still out, so Joe Gomez and Jarrell Quansah are most likely to at the back.
Southampton Vs Liverpool Predicted Lineups
Southampton: Ramsdale; Sugawara, Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Manning; Aribo, Ugochukwu, Mateus Fernandes; Dibling, Onuachu, Armstrong
Liverpool: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Gomez; Mac Allister, Endo, Jones; Elliott, Jota, Nunez
Southampton Vs Liverpool Prediction
Damage limitation could be the order of the day for Southampton. They did give Liverpool a decent game in their 3-2 Premier League defeat just a few weeks ago, but that feels like lightyears ago after recent hammerings.
Arne Slot will probably rest and rotate his stars, but even a second or third-string Liverpool should comfortably put away this rudderless and downcast Saints side.
The freedom of a shot-to-nothing in the cup might allow Southampton to play with more freedom, but a shock win seems well beyond them.
Prediction: Southampton 1-4 Liverpool
