Liverpool’s FA Cup fifth-round matchup with Southampton takes place at Anfield on Wednesday night. If the Reds win tonight, just two more games will separate them from another Wembley final.
Though it’s an exciting possibility, the Saints won’t be taken lightly.
Despite having dropped three of their past four games, the Championship team has had a great season in the second division of English football and may certainly be used as a pawn in Liverpool’s title campaign.
But putting the caliber of the opposition aside, Jurgen Klopp’s biggest problem is just selecting the starting lineup for the evening game at Anfield.
With half of the team still sidelined due to injury and the other half having just played 120 minutes against Chelsea, the Reds are severely short-staffed.
Klopp now has to find new legs and a clear brain after the final, since Liverpool needs to immediately re-calibrate because there are still more worlds to explore.
This is how Liverpool might line up on Wednesday to play Southampton.
Goalkeeper and Defence
Caoimhin Kelleher is expected to stay in goal midweek after his heroics on Sunday, with Alisson out for the duration. The Irishman won his second Carabao Cup against Chelsea with an outstanding nine saves that prevented 2.95 xG.
Joe Gomez, who was substituted for Ryan Gravenberch following his first-half injury and ended up playing the majority of the match, could be utilized at right back once more, with Conor Bradley possibly needed farther forward.
If Ibrahima Konate plays 106 minutes on Sunday, he might end up starting. Virgil van Dijk will undoubtedly miss this one. Jarell Quansah, who has participated in all 90 minutes of play in both of this season’s FA Cup matches, will also start.
Kostas Tsimikas, who assisted on the game-winning goal, needs to stay at left-back. Since the ‘Greek Scouser’ only appeared after regular business hours, it ought to be comparatively new.
There aren’t many new bench possibilities. In addition to Rhys Williams, there might be opportunities for players like Calum Scanlon, a 19-year-old full-back who earned his first-team debut in Europe earlier this season, and perhaps even 17-year-old Amara Nallo, who signed with West Ham this summer.
MIDFIELD
Trey Nyoni, 16, who has not been used as a substitute in Liverpool’s last two games, is reportedly expected to make his debut against Southampton. It’s unclear, though, if that comes off the bench or from the beginning.
After playing 120 minutes on Sunday, Wataru Endo appeared especially wounded and broken (Klopp said the Japan captain had “the stiffest legs I’ve ever seen”). As a result, Alexis Mac Allister might be the engine room’s chosen adult to play in the middle with two younger choices.
Both 19-year-old Bobby Clark and James McConnell, who impressed in their brief appearances in the cup final, need to get things started.
In addition to Gravenberch, players who have played the entire game at Wembley, such as Harvey Elliott, Jones, Thiago, and Stefan Bajcetic, are still unavailable.
That being said, Dominik Szoboszlai might make a comeback. If he does, though, it’s much more likely to come off the bench.
ATTACK
Conor Bradley began the game at right back but was quickly moved up due to the reorganization brought about by Gravenberch’s injury. With no other options, he might be asked to start here after coming off on Sunday for seventy-two minutes.
Jayden Danns, who nearly scored his first goal as a senior for the Reds against Chelsea with a header, will probably start in the middle, with Cody Gakpo as a wide option.
Although Diogo Jota is still out of commission, could Darwin Nuñez—or maybe Mo Salah—be brought back?
Young players Lewis Koumas and Kaide Gordon are ready to join the team; the latter hasn’t played yet.
PREDICTED LIVERPOOL STARTING XI VS SOUTHAMPTON
(4-3-3): Kelleher; Gomez, Konate, Quansah, Tsimikas; McConnell, Mac Allister, Clark; Bradley, Danns, Gakpo
