Liverpool XI vs Southampton: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Carabao Cup tie | OneFootball

The holders are aiming to book a semi-final place

Arne Slot could ring the changes for Liverpool’s Carabao Cup quarter-final tie against Southampton.

The Dutchman has used the competition so far to rotate his squad, giving minutes to those who haven’t played much and it could be more of the same on Wednesday night as the holders look to book a semi-final place.

Though Slot does have somewhat of a selection dilemma on his hands in defence. As red cards are carried over from the Premier League to domestic cup competitions, Andy Robertson is suspended after being sent-off in the 2-2 draw at home to Fulham.

With Kostas Tsimikas not expected to return from injury in time for the trip to St Mary’s, Liverpool are without their two natural senior left-backs.

Now, one option is to hand a youngster James Norris a chance or switch Joe Gomez out to full-back with Jarell Quansah partnering Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence with Ibrahima Konate likely to miss out too.

Elsewhere, Caoimhin Kelleher may get the nod in between the posts, Wataru Endo and Tyler Morton could get a runout in midfield along with the fit again Harvey Elliott who has made three substitute appearances since recovering from a broken foot.

Diogo Jota will be pushing for a start after scoring on his return to action at the weekend and he could be joined in the attack by summer signing Federico Chiesa following Slot’s update with regards to the Italian.

Goalscoring return: Diogo Jota made an instant impact on his comeback from injury.

AFP via Getty Images

“What makes it difficult is we play so many games,” the Dutchman said before the Fulham game. “What he needs is playing time and the problem is if you haven’t played for five or six months, it’s sometimes difficult for a manager to give him his first minutes because you don’t exactly know what you can expect.

“Yes, I see him on the training ground but ideally you see him in a friendly during the week or you see him in a Under-21s game but that is not the situation we have because we play so many games.

“So maybe the Southampton game might be a good moment for him to get some playing minutes and then we will know a bit better what to expect from him.”

Predicted Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Gomez; Endo, Morton; Chiesa, Elliott, Gakpo; Jota

Injured: Konate, Bradley, Tsimikas

Suspended: Robertson

Time and date: 8pm GMT on Wednesday, December 18

Venue: St Mary’s

TV channel: Sky Sports