Southampton vs Liverpool. Carabao Cup Quarter-Final.
St. Mary's StadiumAttendance31,592.
Wednesday 2 December 2015 19:58, UK
Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho are both set to return for Liverpool in their Capital One Cup quarter-final clash at Southampton on Wednesday.
Coutinho has missed the Reds' last two games - against Bordeaux and Swansea - with a hamstring injury, while Sturridge's sustained fitness problems have seen him play just 19 times for Liverpool in 2015.
The England international pulled out of Liverpool's Europa League game against Bordeaux on Thursday with a foot problem, before returning to the pitch for a 20-minute cameo against Swansea at the weekend.
Now, Jurgen Klopp is set to give Sturridge more minutes as he hopes to get his season up and running, while captain Jordan Henderson also returns to the fray after injury.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the game, Klopp said: "We cannot ignore that this game could have overtime; 120 minutes would be too much for both [Sturridge and Henderson].
"If nothing happens from now, they will be in the squad. We have these two options."
Southampton, who have beaten MK Dons and Aston Villa to reach the quarter final stage, have lost their last two matches, against Manchester City and Stoke, but will hope to return to winning ways against Liverpool in the quarter final at St Mary's.
Liverpool have beaten Carlisle and Bournemouth to reach this stage, and Klopp revealed on Tuesday he is well aware of the rivalry between his side and Southampton.
"I hear Southampton and Liverpool are not the best friends," Klopp told reporters. "So it will be a feisty game.
"I knew Southampton from before. They're a good team, brilliantly offensively. [Dusan] Tadic is difficult to play against."
Team news
Adam Bogdan is set to start in goal for Liverpool, replacing first-choice Simon Mignolet, while Henderson will play a part after returning from injury.
The midfielder had been sidelined since mid-August with a foot injury, but he returned as a second-half substitute alongside Sturridge in the win over Swansea on Sunday.
Graziano Pelle is also expected to return to the Southampton squad after sitting out his side's defeat by Manchester City through suspension, but Koeman must decide whether to start him or Shane Long.
Speaking in a press conference on Tuesday, Koeman confirmed that Jose Fonte will miss the game after suffering a hamstring injury against Manchester City, with Steven Caulker likely to replace him.
Opta stats
Southampton have made the quarter-finals for the second successive season, but they lost at this stage to Sheffield United in 2014/15. The last time they went beyond the last eight was in 1987, losing to Liverpool in the semi-final.
Eight-time winners Liverpool are looking to reach the semi-final stage for the third time in five seasons.
Southampton have lost their last two home games in all competitions against Liverpool, having won the previous three in a row.
The Reds have progressed in three of the last four League Cup ties against Southampton, most recently on their way to winning the trophy in the 2002/03 campaign.
Sadio Mane scored and was sent off in the meeting with Liverpool in October, which ended 1-1 at Anfield.
Christian Benteke has scored in each of his last two games against Southampton, both in the Premier League.
Charlie Nicholas' prediction
"Well this one really is the pick of the draw. Southampton have been a bit disappointing, yes, but they didn't play badly at Manchester City according to Merse. They missed Graziano Pelle and will have him back against Liverpool. Ronald Koeman will be another one thinking why can't we have a go at winning this? They may not have the depth of some teams but they have a very good side.
"Then we have the resurgence under Jurgen Klopp and everyone going crazy because they're up to sixth in the Premier League. It was another grind at home against Swansea and they'll probably prefer being able to play on the counter-attack again here. Koeman will say 'we're at home, we'll play our game' and I think they'll win this one."
Charlie predicts: 3-1 with Pelle to score first (66/1 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Southampton are Sky Bet's marginal favourites at 6/4 for the victory with Liverpool 7/4 while the draw is priced at 23/10.
Both sides are considered 11/2 second favourites to win the competition with only Manchester City shorter odds at evens.
Pelle heads the first goalscorer betting at 9/2 followed by Benteke at 5/1, with the strikers 15/2 to both find the net. The Soccer Saturday pundits and Jamie Redknapp have all made their Sky Bet tips HERE.
Watch Southampton v Liverpool live on Wednesday, 7pm, Sky Sports 1 HD - the draw for the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup is live on Sky Sports News HQ following the match.
