Southampton handed boost, key Liverpool player could miss EFL Cup clash | OneFootball

Tonight, Southampton face Liverpool in the EFL Cup quarterfinal. The Saints are handed a boost, as Diogo Jota probably won't start.

Southampton are set to kick-off their first game of the post-Russell Martin era. The manager who led Southampton back into the Premier League and indeed, into the EFL Cup quarterfinal, will no longer be on the touchline.

It is widely documented that the Saints are having a horrid season so far. This, without a doubt, fed into the mind of the club owners when it came to sacking Russell Martin.

Liverpool, on the other hand, are having a brilliant season. They are nearly perfect under Arne Slot and they will be eager to cement their place in the EFL Cup semifinal, as the competition's champions.

Diogo Jota won't start in Southampton vs Liverpool in the EFL Cup

According to a report from Liverpool.com, Arne Slot has confirmed that Diogo Jota is not completely fit after making his return from injury at the weekend. Therefore, the Liverpool attacker is not expected to start against Southampton in midweek.

In his own words, Arne Slot said: "Diogo would have definitely been one that would have been ideal for him to play, but after the game on Saturday, he wasn't completely fit so he didn't train with us yesterday. Let's see if he can train with us today, but I don't expect him to start . Hopefully, he can make some minutes, but don't expect him to start."

So, Diogo Jota is not entirely ruled out. However, Liverpool fans should not expect to see the Portugal forward in the starting lineup to face Liverpool.

This is a huge blow for Liverpool. They were without Jota for a while and they finally welcomed him back at the weekend, as he even scored against Fulham.

However, Jota is not up to full match fitness. In fact, that 11 minute cameo against Fulham might have been what tipped him into another injury concern.

Alas, this concludes the early Liverpool team news. Jota might make an appearance from the bench but he will not start against Southampton.