Liverpool will have to turn things around in the EFL Cup semi-final 2nd leg when they host a high-flying Southampton outfit who head into the match with a slender one goal advantage. The Saints will be ruing the chances they missed when they had the opportunity to put the tie to bed and Redmond alone accounted for around 4 of those gilt-edged chances.
Liverpool’s much-criticised goalkeeper Loris Karius was one of very few in Jurgen Klopp’s side to distinguish himself amid a shocking performance, making two fine first-half saves from goal scorer Redmond. And Klopp will expect the keeper to stand up once again and be accounted for.
Meanwhile, Claude Puel will be refreshed by the change of scenario as his under-fire side have the chance to get into the finals of the EFL Cup and are in a good situation to do exactly that. They are on the back of a morale-boosting 3-0 win over Champions Leicester City and will be facing a Liverpool side who lost at home for the first time in ages against relegation-threatened Swansea City 2-3.
And with the Reds scheduled to play Chelsea in next week’s Premier League fixture which will potentially decide whether they have any hopes left of challenging for the title, this fixture will certainly be an added headache.
Southampton can certainly pull it off if they play to their strengths.
PREDICTED SOUTHAMPTON LINE-UP VS LIVERPOOL (4-3-3)
DEFENCE
Forster will be in goal and after having kept a number of clean sheets lately will be a confident man under the bar. Ryan Bertrand is likely to be at left-back and will look to push out from the back and nullify the threat of Clyne and Lallana as much as possible. Van Dijk did go off with a knock but he is expected to be fit. If he does not make it in time for the match, Stephens will line-up alongside Yoshida and the new look pair have to be at their best. Soares will be at right-back.
MIDFIELD
Romeu will be the deep lying midfielder and has to be on his toes and replicate his recent displays to keep the Reds at bay. Ward-Prowse and Hojbjerg are likely to line up on either side in slightly advanced positions. It will be an interesting battle between the 3 midfielders of either side and the trio who can follow orders to the tee are likely to be on the winning side.
ATTACK
Tadic will be on the left side with Redmond on the opposite wing. Jay Rodriguez is likely to be in the centre. The three of them will look to interchange at times and keep the Liverpool backline guessing.
