Southampton face a difficult Quarter-Final contest against title holders, Liverpool in 2024-25 Carabao Cup.
Victory will see Southampton reach the semi-finals for the second time in three seasons, whilst Liverpool look to progress to the last four for the third time in four seasons.
Team News
Southampton have no fresh injury concerns following their 5-0 loss against Tottenham, which saw manager – Russell Martin sacked.
Aaron Ramsdale (finger) is a doubt for selection.
Jack Stephens (suspension), Juan Larios (fitness), Will Smallbone (thigh), Ross Stewart (calf), Adam Lallana (hamstring) and Gavin Bazunu (Achilles) remain ruled out.
Liverpool will welcome Alexis Mac Allister back after he was suspended for their 2-2 draw against Fulham last weekend.
Andrew Robertson though is suspended after his red card against the Cottagers.
Konstantinos Tsimikas (ankle), Conor Bradley (hamstring) and Ibrahima Konate (knee) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Southampton meet Liverpool at St Mary’s Stadium on Wednesday 18 December at 8pm GMT, live on Sky Sports Football in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Southampton have won three of their last five League Cup meetings against Liverpool (W3, L2).
- Liverpool have won just one of their four previous League Cup visits to Southampton (W1, D1, L2).
- Southampton have won each of their last two League Cup ties against Liverpool by 1-0 results.
- Taylor Harwood-Bellis has scored in each of Southampton’s last two Carabao Cup matches (W1, D1).
- Cody Gakpo has scored four goals in two Carabao Cup appearances this season.
Prediction
With Martin gone following their calamitous loss to Tottenham with a first-half horror show, Southampton must reset and seek to get the basics right as top-flight survival surely is their priority now over this competition.
Liverpool though didn’t look at their best against Fulham but dug deep to come from behind twice to draw, so I do expect a serious reaction here if they are to avoid hitting a rut going into the festive fortnight.
Arne Slot’s Reds however can’t afford to underestimate Southampton who will be re-energised in the wake of Martin’s exit, but I just can’t see Liverpool losing even if they were pushed hard here in the league a few weeks ago.
Prediction: Southampton 0-2 Liverpool
Result: Southampton 1-2 Liverpool