Liverpool continue their defense of their Carabao Cup crown on Wednesday evening when they travel to Southampton in the last 16 of the competition.
The clash at St Mary’s serves as an opportunity for the Reds to move closer to a first piece of silverware under Arne Slot, with his predecessor Jurgen Klopp winning the Carabao Cup last season It turned out to be the German’s last trophy with the club.
Liverpool they are the record holders in the history of this competition, lifting the three-handed cup ten times, and have obtained a favorable draw for their quarter-finals. Southampton without a manager are in dire straits after their 5-0 humiliation at the hands of Tottenham on Sunday.
Slot is expected to make changes to his starting lineup on Wednesday, but those are the ones he won’t be able to call up due to injuries and suspensions.
Liverpool’s questionable defensive performances in recent games have coincided Ibrahima Konate be in the treatment room. The French giant injured his knee during the 2-0 win against Real Madrid in the Champions League and has since been missing. It will not appear here.
Likewise, right side Conor Bradley he has also been absent since facing the European champions. Despite enjoying an excellent night against Kylian Mbappe and co, the Northern Irishman strained his hamstring during the game and will be unavailable as he has yet to return to training.
Kostas Tsimikas has missed the last few outings due to an ankle injury picked up in training. However, Slot has confirmed that he is “close” to a return and that he will train with his teammates again on Tuesday. However, he is still not guaranteed a place in the matchday squad at St Mary’s.
The left-back will be a problem for Liverpool if Tsimikas is not deemed fit to play. Andrew Robertson will serve his one-match ban against Southampton after being sent off in the 2-2 draw with Fulham the weekend
With a fully fit midfield at his disposal, Slot only has one concern in his star-studded forward line. Unfortunately, this is it Diogo Jotawho only returned from long-term injury in the weekend draw with the Cottagers.
Jota made an immediate impact when he scored Liverpool’s equalizer late in the game, producing a typically clinical finish. However, Slot has confirmed that he didn’t make it out completely unscathed.
“Diogo would definitely have been ideal to play, but after the (Fulham) game he wasn’t quite fit, so he didn’t train with us yesterday,” admitted Slot in his pre-match press conference.
“So let’s see if he can practice with us today. Don’t expect him to start. Hopefully he can get some minutes, but don’t expect him to start tomorrow.”
|
player |
status |
|---|---|
|
Ibrahima Konate |
outside |
|
Conor Bradley |
outside |
|
Kostas Tsimikas |
Doubt |
|
Andy Robertson |
suspended |
|
Diogo Jota |
Doubt |
