Liverpool will host Southampton at Anfield in the EFL Cup third round on Tuesday, with a spot in the next stage on the line.
Arne Slot and his charges have done quite well in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League so far. Liverpool have won every match in the Premier eague, and they have done well to pick up a win in the first game of the Champions League campaign as well ahead of the game vs Southampton.
The Reds will now be expected to pick up another victory over Southampton in the EFL Cup. Liverpool are undoubtedly the better team on paper, and it will be interesting to see if they can grind out a positive result. Slot is expected to rotate his troops heavily heading into this game.
Meanwhile, the visitors will look to pull off an upset at Anfield. Southampton have a disastrous record against Liverpool, and it will be interesting to see if they can make their mark against a heavily rotated side. The Saints have been dreadful thus far in the 2025/26 season, winning only one EFL Championship tie. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the upcoming meeting between the two sides.
Team news and tactics
Liverpool
Arne Slot does not have any major injury issues heading into the game, and they will be able to field a full-strength lineup. However, the Dutch tactician is likely to rotate the team after a busy week.
Liverpool are expected to start in a 4-3-3 formation vs Southampton, with Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal. Conor Bradley and Andrew Robertson will start as the full-backs, and they will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni are expected to form the central defensive partnership.
As for the midfield unit, Wataru Endo will look to protect the back four and break down the opposition’s attacking moves. Curtis Jones and Stefan Bajcetic will add creativity and control alongside him.
Rio Ngumoha and Federico Chiesa will start on the flanks. They will look to add pace, flair, and creativity to the side. Finally, Alexander Isak could be handed a start against Southampton so that he can continue to build up match fitness.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Mamardashvili; Bradley, Gomez, Leoni, Robertson; Bajcetic, Endo, Jones; Chiesa, Isak, Ngumoha
Southampton
Welington is ruled out for the visitors with an injury. Southampton are set to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Liverpool, with Gavin Bazunu in goal.
Mads Roerslev and Ryan Manning will start as the full-backs. They will look to keep things tight defensively and hit Liverpool on the break. At the heart of the defence, Jack Stephens will start alongside Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
As for the midfield unit, Shea Charles and Caspar Jander will start at the base of the Southampton midfield, and they will look to protect the defensive unit and break up the Liverpool attack.
Tom Fellows and Jay Robinson will look to help out during transitions and create counter-attacking opportunities from the flanks. They will add pace and unpredictability to the Southampton attack.
Finn Azaz will look to create opportunities for his teammates with his passing and vision in the final third. Finally, Cameron Archer will lead the line for Southampton vs Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday night.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Bazunu; Roerslev, Stephens, Harwood-Bellis, Manning; Charles, Jander; Fellows, Azaz, Robinson; Archer
Key Stats
- Liverpool have won their last eight home matches against Southampton in all competitions.
- Liverpool have scored at least three goals in seven of their last eight home matches against Southampton in all competitions.
- 27 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two teams.
- Five of the last six matches between these two teams have seen both teams get on the score sheet.
Player to Watch
Alexander Isak
This is a golden opportunity for the Swedish international to get on the score sheet, and he will look to punish a vulnerable Southampton team here. He is a world-class player who is still working on his match fitness. Isak will look to make the most of this opportunity and build up some sharpness.
Liverpool have a very strong second team, and they should be able to create ample opportunities for the striker to benefit from. The Swedish international is our key player to watch out for, and he could make all the difference for the home team.
Prediction
Liverpool 3-1 Southampton
Southampton will look to pull off an upset here, but this will be a massive challenge. Even though Liverpool are likely to rotate their team, they have outstanding quality and depth. They should be able to grind out a victory at home here.
Liverpool have an impressive record vs Southampton, and they should be able to extend it. Both teams are likely to get on the score sheet, but Liverpool should be able to pick up a comprehensive victory. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for Arne Slot and his charges.
