Liverpool predicted lineup vs Southampton - Carabao Cup | OneFootball

Liverpool are aiming to progress into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup when they take on a manager-less Southampton at St. Mary's on Wednesday night.

The Reds were ran close by Russell Martin's Saints last month but eventually claimed a 3-2 victory, and Martin has since lost his job after overseeing a humiliating 5-0 home defeat to Tottenham on Sunday.

Arne Slot's side have manifested frailties in recent outings, but Liverpool still boast imperious positions at the top of the Premier League and Champions League tables. Their 2-2 draw with Fulham on Saturday may appear a disappointing result on the surface, but Liverpool's second-half response while a man down depicted their fearlessness and Slot's ability to adjust on the fly.

The Carabao Cup may not be the club's top priority this term, but they are the holders and the competition could serve as a springboard for future success with Slot at the helm.

Here's how Liverpool could line up at Southampton on Wednesday.

Liverpool predicted lineup vs Southampton (4-2-3-1)

Federico Chiesa has barely featured for Liverpool since joining in the summer / Jess Hornby/GettyImages

GK: Caoimhin Kelleher - With Alisson assuming number-one duties after returning from injury, Kelleherw will revert to runouts in the domestic cups.

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold - Slot doesn't have much choice but to start Alexander-Arnold again in midweek given Liverpool's defensive absences. He likely won't play the full 90, though.

CB: Jarell Quansah - Quansah is enjoying a run in the team while Ibrahima Konate is sidelined.

CB: Virgil van Dijk - Slot's unlikely to turn to the academy at the heart of his defence, so the captain will marshal his troops at St. Mary's in the cup. The Dutchman has been in imperious form this season.

LB: Joe Gomez - With Andy Robertson suspended and Kostas Tsimikas out injured, it looks like Gomez, who has been used across the backline in recent weeks, will assume the role he performed for much of last season.

CM: Wataru Endo - The Japanese international hasn't had much of a look in under Slot, but has featured in this competition. With Liverpool's midfield stars poised to be preserved for Sunday's trip to Tottenham, Endo will likely start at St. Mary's.

CM: Tyler Morton - The 22-year-old is yet to earn a Premier League minute this season but has been used in both of Liverpool's Carabao Cup outings. Partnered Endo at Brighton in round four and could do so again on Wednesday.

RM: Federico Chiesa - The bargain summer arrival has been out of action since late September but was back in the matchday squad on Saturday. The Italian didn't have a pre-season and has had to be patient, but this is a great opportunity for him to start.

AM: Harvey Elliott - Don't sleep on Harvey Elliott, people! The crafty playmaker is once again available after breaking his foot at the start of the season. Slot has turned the Elliott as a difference-maker off the bench in recent games, but he'll be in the XI at St. Mary's.

LM: Cody Gakpo - Slot may not risk his inevitable force down the right, but Gakpo is a sure bet to get the nod on the opposite flank. The Dutchman has performed well down the left this term, and he scored twice in the fourth round to set up Wednesday's quarter-final tie.

ST: Darwin Nunez - Teenager Jayden Danns made a name for himself in the domestic cups last season, but Slot hasn't yet turned to youth in attacking areas. With Diogo Jota unlikely to be risked after sustaining another minor setback, Nunez should get the nod up top.