Liverpool will host Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round at Anfield on Wednesday, looking to reach the quarter-finals.
Liverpool are coming into the FA Cup fifth-round clash against Southampton on the back of winning the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea, and they will be full of confidence and belief. However, they are missing a number of key players through injury, which could have an effect on their performance.
The Reds have picked up five wins from their last six matches across all competitions, and they have the momentum with them. They will not look to grind out or positive result here without most of their key players.
On the other hand, Southampton will certainly fancy their chances of getting something out of this game, especially considering the number of injuries Liverpool have. The away side have lost three of their last four matches across all competitions and will be eager to bounce back strongly.
A victory over Liverpool would be a major confidence boost for Southampton, and it could help them get their season back on track. The Saints have picked up just one win from the last six meetings against Liverpool, and they will need to be at their best in order to grind out a victory.
Team News & Tactics
Liverpool
The Reds will be without Dutch midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who picked up a ligament injury in the final against Chelsea. As far as Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai are concerned, they are back in training and will be assessed closer to kick off.
Wataru Endo is likely to miss out after picking up a knock on his ankle during the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea. Apart from that, Thiago Alcantara, Joel Matip, and Stefan Bajcetic remain long-term absentees.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is still recovering from his knock and is set to miss out as well. Alisson Becker will return from his hamstring injury in March. Liverpool are likely to shape up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Caoimhin Kelleher in goal.
Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas are likely to start as the full-backs, and they will look to help out at both ends of the beach. Jarell Quansah will start in the heart of the defence alongside Joe Gomez.
The midfield is likely to be heavily rotated with players like James McConnell, Bobby Clark, and Trey Nyoni likely to start here. Jayden Danns was given a run out in the Carabao Cup final, and he is likely to lead the line for Liverpool against Southampton, with Kaide Gordon and Lewis Koumas on either side of him.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Gomez, Tsimikas; Clark, McConnell, Nyoni; Gordon, Danns, Koumas
Southampton
The away side will be without Juan Larios, Ross Stewart and Ryan Fraser. Stewart has a muscle injury, and he will return to action next month, and Larios is expected back in a similar time frame as well with a muscle injury.
Southampton are likely to shape up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Gavin Bazunu in goal. Kyle Walker-Peters and Ryan Manning will start as the full-backs. They will look to help out during counter-attacks and protect the central defenders. Jack Stephens will form the central defensive unit alongside Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
In the midfield, Shea Charles will start as the central midfielder along with Joe Aribo and Stuart Armstrong. Armstrong and Aribo will look to add drive to the side, and Charles will look to protect the central defence. Che Adams will lead the line for Southampton against Liverpool, with Adam Armstrong and Samuel Edozie on either side of him.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Stephens, Harwood-Bellis, Manning; Aribo, Charles, Stuart Armstrong; Adam Armstrong, Adams, Edozie
Key Stats
- Liverpool have won their last six home matches against Southampton in all competitions.
- Liverpool have scored at least two goals in 11 of their last 12 matches against Southampton in all competitions.
- Liverpool are unbeaten in five of their last six matches against Liverpool in all competitions.
- Liverpool have five wins from their last six matches in all competitions.
- 22 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two sides.
Player to Watch
Che Adams
The 27-year-old will need to step up and deliver if Southampton are to progress through to the FA Cup quarter-finals. He has scored nine goals and picked up three assists in 15 Championship starts this season.
The Scottish attacker is clearly their best player, and he is in impressive form right now. Adams has scored five goals and picked up and assist in his last nine appearances for Southampton. He is our key player to watch out for.
Prediction
Liverpool 1-2 Southampton
While a defeat at Anfield for Liverpool is inconceivable, they have a depleted squad and will have to field several young prospects. In comparison, Southampton have a better team and will be full of motivation heading into this game.
This is likely to be a close contest, but the Championship outfit have enough quality in their squad to emerge victorious eventually. The Hard Tackle predicts Southampton to beat Liverpool 2-1 on Wednesday.
