Here is how Liverpool could line up against Southampton at St. Marys Stadium in the Premier League on Friday night.
Liverpool will face off Southampton at St. Marys Stadium in the Premier League on a late Friday kick off. The Reds got lucky against Tottenham Hotspur in the 2-1 victory on Sunday and they will hope to secure all three points against the Saints who have looked well drilled in last few games.
Jurgen Klopp’s men have won their last two games against Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur, keeping themselves in the title challenge. On the other hand, Ralph Hasenhuttl has hopeful to nick something away from this game to avoid relegation from the English top tier football.
In the same fixture last season, the visitors beat the hosts comfortably, courtesy to goals from Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. When these two sides went head-to-head each other earlier this campaign, Liverpool beat Mark Hughes’ Southampton 3-0 at Anfield on September 22nd. Wesley Hoedt diverted the ball inside his own net, and Joel Matip and Mohamed Salah capitalized well to bag three points.
Since the former Leipzig manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has taken over the club, the Saints are eight in the form table which does not spring a surprise. Austrian International qualified for Europe on a bounce with his former club Leipzig which gained a reputation among the footballing world.
Both the sides will be hoping for three points in what might turn out to be an exciting contest.
Injury News
Liverpool fans feared about the possibility of Virgil Van Dijk taking part in this game after he was captured with a band on his leg after the game against Tottenham Hotspur. In the Pre-match press conference, Jurgen Klopp has eased the suspicion by deeming him fit for Friday night football.
The involvement of Joe Gomez and Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain is yet to be learned as the manager did not throw any suggestions on the involvement of the English duo.
“Virgil has trained normally. It all looks okay. I can’t say a bad word about him, a brilliant boy. But he knows that you need the boys around you. Defending is team work.” said Klopp.
On the other hand, the hosts have been dealt with a huge blow as Mario Lemina, Jannik Vestergaard, Michael Obefemi have been ruled out of this fixture. Striker Shane Long could return from injury to haunt Liverpool once again after scoring the famous goal at Anfield in the League Cup semifinals two years ago.
PREDICTED LINEUP:
Liverpool: Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil Van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum, James Milner, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino.
