Liverpool travel to Southampton for their League Cup clash on Wednesday, and here we take a look at how Jurgen Klopp could line his side up for the quarter-final.
Klopp’s in-form Reds go in search of a place in the semi-finals of the League Cup at St Mary’s, taking on Ronald Koeman’s Saints.
A fourth straight victory will be needed for Liverpool to ensure that the record winners of the competition are in the hat for a last-four draw that will take place straight after this south coast encounter.
With the game set to be the fourth in a hectic 12 days, Klopp could make changes in order to keep his side fresh.
Here we take a look at how the German could approach the clash and who could feature in his starting XI.
Team News
- Klopp to play “strongest team” against the Saints
- Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge could feature again for the second time under Klopp
- Philippe Coutinho also in contention after missing last two games with a hamstring issue
- Adam Bogdan likely to start with Simon Mignolet to be rested
- Reds boss could rest some regulars after heavy action
- Kolo Toure and Joe Allen options for Klopp should he decide to rotate
- Joao Carlos Teixeira featured in last round and could take part after missing Reds U21s clash vs. Manchester United
- Academy products Pedro Chirivella, Jordan Rossiter, Cameron Brannagan and Jerome Sinclair unlikely to involved after U21s action
Liverpool’s XI
Klopp confirmed he will play his “strongest team” in his pre-match press conference, with the German taking the competition seriously.
Ahead of the incoming Bogdan, a familiar back four is set to reconvene and could be protected by a returning Lucas Leiva, who could link up with Emre Can and James Milner to form the midfield, preserving Henderson.
In attack, Adam Lallana, Jordon Ibe and Roberto Firmino could form a fluid front three, keeping Coutinho in reserve alongside Sturridge, dropping Christian Benteke to the bench – with Klopp having already expressed concerns over the Belgian’s ability to play games in quick succession.
Picking that XI would see Liverpool line up looking like this on Wednesday night:
While Klopp said he will pick a strong side, he also alluded to the fact that the condition of his players cannot be ignored, having played three times in eight days recently.
The German could therefore decide to rotate his side, and he has options at his disposal to do so.
Toure can come back in to the centre of defence alongside Dejan Lovren, while Allen offers a midfield option to allow Can and Milner a night off.
With it likely to be too early to throw Henderson, Coutinho and Sturridge in from the start, a three-man attacking unit of Lallana, Ibe and Teixeira could play in support of Benteke.
A rotated XI could see Liverpool line up like this come 7:45pm kick-off time at St Mary’s:
Wednesday’s cup clash may not be make or break, but it’s one of huge importance for Klopp and his group with the chance to continue good form and build confidence further with progress to the semi-finals.
As ever, This is Anfield will be presenting live coverage of Liverpool’s League Cup clash throughout Wednesday night.
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