Liverpool begin their Carabao Cup journey on home soil in midweek, as a struggling Southampton side from the Championship visits Anfield for a third-round tie. While the Reds have enjoyed a perfect start to the season with six wins from six, they have often relied on late drama and are yet to produce a truly convincing 90-minute performance. Manager Arne Slot is expected to ring the changes for this fixture.
The hosts are the most successful team in the history of this competition with ten titles, although they were beaten finalists last season. Their opponents, now managed by the highly-regarded Will Still, have endured a tough start to life back in the second tier. A 3-1 defeat to Hull City at the weekend leaves them 19th in the table and without a league win since the opening day.
Team news and lineups
Arne Slot could make as many as 11 changes to the team that started the Merseyside derby on Saturday. The manager is almost certain to include academy starlets Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni in his starting XI. Record signing Alexander Isak could also get another hour of game time as he continues to build his match fitness, while other summer arrivals like Giorgi Mamardashvili and Jeremie Frimpong may also earn starts. The Reds’ only confirmed injury absentee is Stefan Bajcetic.
The visitors are likely to rotate as well, with manager Will Still potentially switching to a back-three formation. Samuel Edozie and Welington are set to miss out with knocks, but Flynn Downes could return to the fold after recovering from an illness.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs. Southampton (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Leoni, Gomez, Robertson; Nyoni, Endo; Chiesa, Jones, Ngumoha; Isak.
Southampton predicted lineup vs. Liverpool (3-5-2): McCarthy; Edwards, Wood, Stephens; Roerslev, Fraser, Downes, Jander, Manning; Stewart, Archer.
Score prediction
This cup tie serves as an ideal test for the depth of Liverpool‘s record-breaking summer investment. While Southampton have nothing to lose and such a mentality could make them a tricky opponent, the current gulf in quality and confidence between the two sides is immense. Even a heavily rotated Liverpool side should have more than enough firepower to triumph with some comfort at Anfield and advance to the fourth round.
Prediction: Liverpool 3–1 Southampton