Premier League table-toppers Liverpool will aim to keep their treble dreams alive when they face Southampton this Wednesday in an EFL Cup quarter final clash.
Arne Slot comes into this match after a 2-2 draw against Fulham in the Premier League.
Southampton, on the other hand, will be the provisional management of this clash, Russell Martin ruled out after the team shook off an embarrassing 5-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspurs on Sunday night.
As far as the clashes between these two groups in the League Cup are concerned, the Reds had a slight merit over the hosts, winning four, while Southampton picked up three wins.
Broadcast: Southampton vs Liverpool on Paramount in the United States
Sports News breaks down the key highlights of this game, adding how to watch the game, kickoff, and the latest programming news.
Here’s how to watch this EFL Cup in the United States:
TV channel: —Live stream: Paramount+
This game is not a must have for live television in the United States. Must have streaming features on Paramount+
WATCH: EFL Cup action live in US on Paramount+ (free trial)
This EFL Cup clash takes place at St. Mary’s Stadium in Southampton, England, and kicks off on Wednesday, December 18 at 8:00 p.m. local time.
This is what it was like in the United States:
Rusk is expected to stay with Martin’s style of players rotation for the EFL Cup matches, with the transparent precedence of the club aimed at the fight for the descent of the Premier League.
Aaron Ramsdale can return to the initial team after a wrist injury, however, Gavin Bazunu, Will Smallbone, Juan Larios and Ross Stewart remain absent. The defender Jack Stephens is serving the final game of a suspension of three games.
Southampton projected starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Ramsdale (GK) — Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Sugawara, Taylor — Aribo, Fernandes, Ugochukwu — Fraser, Amstrong, Archer.
Injured: Bazunu (Achilles), Stewart (calf), Smallbone (thigh), Larios (undisclosed).Suspended: Stephens.
Meanwhile, Slot’s senior comes in defence, with Andy Robertson serving a one-match ban, and Ibrahima Konate, Kostas Tsimikas and Conor Bradley all injured.
James Norris, an Academy graduate, may be recruited at left back with possible departures for Jarell Quansah and Diogo Jota.
Liverpool projected starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Kelleher (GK) — Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Norris — Mac Allister, Endo, Jones — Salah, Jota, Gakpo.
Injured: Tsimikas (ankle), Bradley (thigh), Konate (knee). Suspended: Robertson
The last time those two groups met was in the EFL Cup in 2017 when the Saints won 1-0 against the Reds.
Southampton, meanwhile, are going through a rough stretch, with five losses in their last six games. In their previous meeting in November, the Saints suffered a 3-2 defeat in a Premier League clash.
The recent form makes Liverpool the favourites to win the match.
All times ET
Wednesday, December 18
Thursday, December 19
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >
Swati is a content producer for The Sporting News, working across English-language editions.