9 players could miss Liverpool vs Southampton

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Liverpool return to Carabao Cup action this evening when they host Southampton in the third round at Anfield.

The Reds, beaten finalists last season, will see this fixture as an opportunity to go one better and add to their record ten titles in the competition, yet they must balance ambition with squad management as a congested calendar looms.

Liverpool have won all six of their competitive fixtures so far this term, but despite the unblemished record, Arne Slot’s side have yet to deliver a fully convincing performance over 90 minutes.

Saturday’s Merseyside Derby saw Liverpool race into a 2-0 lead before hanging on nervously for a 2-1 victory.

Southampton, back in the Championship after relegation, have endured a rocky start under new boss Will Still.

The Saints currently occupy 19th place, having not picked up a league win since the opening weekend, and arrive on Merseyside off the back of a 3-1 reverse at Hull City.

Their cup run so far has included clean-sheet victories over Northampton and Norwich.

Meanwhile, there are set to be many Liverpool absentees.

Arne Slot has already confirmed five players that “won’t be seen” at Anfield for the clash:

“The good thing is I have the option to rotate throughout the week, and the ones that played three times 90 minutes are Virgil (van Dijk), Ibou (Ibrahima Konate), Mo (Mohamed Salah), Ryan and Dom (Dominik Szoboszlai), the ones that are used to this intensity at this level, and again they showed up really good.”

“I can tell you now you won’t be seeing them on Tuesday.”

It’s also safe to say that Giorgi Mamardashvili will likely be handed his official debut, allowing Alisson Becker to be rested completely.

So, with at least six Liverpool players set to not feature, expect heavy rotation.

Southampton are not dealing with too many injuries but have some concerns of their own:

Welington – out

Southampton’s new left wing-back sustained a severe ankle sprain in late August during the 2-1 defeat to Stoke City and is set to miss several months of action.

Manager Will Still confirmed the injury involves a badly twisted ankle.

Sam Edozie – doubt

Sam Edozie has no current injury concerns, but remains under close watch for match fitness following his loan stint.

The winger has resumed full training at Staplewood and is working to regain sharpness, though his inclusion tonight will depend on meeting the coaching staff’s fitness benchmarks.

Joe Aribo – doubt

Aribo was expected to depart the Saints after their relegation last season but still remains at the club.

As a result, much like Edozie, his fitness levels may inhibt him from featuring.

Neither Edozie or Aribo was in the Saints matchday sqaud in their defeat to Hull City this past weekend.

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