Southampton vs Liverpool Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 English League Cup | Quarter-Final
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With Russell Martin having been dismissed as Southampton boss on Sunday, interim manager Simon Rusk takes charge of the Saints for this quarter-final against Arne Slot's Liverpool.
Kick-off date/time: Wednesday 18th December, 2024: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports/ US – Paramount+
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Paramount+
Southampton Preview: Martin out the door
The dust had barely settled on Southampton's 0-5 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday before Russell Martin was relieved of his duties in charge of the Saints, with interim boss Simon Rusk set to take charge of the Premier League strugglers for this quarter-final.
Reaching the last eight of this competition is something of an achievement for Southampton given their general struggles this season, although they have not faced a team of the calibre of Liverpool so far in their cup run.
Liverpool Preview: Slight dip
By the high standards that they have set so far this season, Liverpool have suffered something of a minor dip in form recently with consecutive draws in the Premier League sandwiching a slender win away at Girona in the Champions League.
The Reds are in the hunt for trophies on all fronts though, and have already beaten two Premier League opponents in their Carabao Cup run; West Ham and Brighton.
Southampton Team News: Lallana an option
It's anyone's guess as to what line-up Rusk will go with in his first game in charge, but he could have Aaron Ramsdale back in goal should the former Arsenal goalkeeper recover from a wrist injury in time.
Jack Stephens continues his suspension for the red card he received against Chelsea in early December, but fit-again Adam Lallana could be an option after being named amongst the substitutes on Sunday.
Predicted XI (4-5-1): Ramsdale; Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Manning; Dibling, Aribo, Fernandes, Downes, Armstrong; Archer
Unavailable: Bazunu (Injured), Stephens (Suspended), Smallbone (Injured), Larios (Injured), Stewart (Injured)
Questionable: Ramsdale (Injured)
Liverpool Team News: Many changes expected
Arne Slot has hinted that he could rest some of his frequent starters here, which could be good news for the likes of Jarell Quansah, Wataru Endo and Federico Chiesa, while one or two academy recruits could also start if Slot is to be taken at his word.
Caoimhin Kelleher will definitely start in goal while Alexis Mac Allister should see pitch-time after completing two separate bans recently. Andy Robertson is suspended while Diogo Jota is a doubt after picking up a knock on his return against Fulham on Saturday.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Quansah, Norris; Mac Allister, Endo, Jones; Chiesa, Nunez, Gakpo
Unavailable: Konate (Injured), Bradley (Injured), Robertson (Suspended)
Questionable: Tsimikas (Injured), Jota (Injured)
Southampton vs Liverpool Prediction
It's always difficult to predict how a team will respond to a manager's sacking, but Southampton may have some joy against a heavily-rotated Liverpool side who are short of options in defence. Slot may have to dip into the academy for his backline, while the likes of Mo Salah could be afforded a rare rest ahead of the busy festive schedule.
Having said that, you'd still fancy the visitors to make their class tell, and there is always the option of bringing on the cavalry should they be needed. With these factors in mind, expect both teams to find the net.
Southampton vs Liverpool Tip: Both teams to score
