Arne Slot might want to ring the adjustments for a sport he will likely be absent for, with plenty of Liverpool’s fringe gamers to profit at Southampton.
The Reds’ 2-2 draw with Fulham took its toll, not least with each Slot and Andy Robertson selecting up suspensions for his or her subsequent sport.
Neither head coach nor first-choice left-back will likely be concerned for Wednesday evening’s journey to Southampton within the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, with a ban proscribing Slot to the stands at St Mary’s.
Nonetheless, his affect will likely be felt each earlier than and in the course of the sport, significantly in his workforce choice with plenty of adjustments anticipated.
With Tottenham to come back within the Premier League 4 days later, listed here are 5 gamers who can profit in a rotated facet at Southampton.
James Norris
With Robertson suspended and Kostas Tsimikas unlikely to be slot in time, the following in line at left-back will likely be 21-year-old Norris.
The academy staple spent final season on mortgage at Tranmere however has stayed at Liverpool this time round, spending most of his time with the U21s however extra not too long ago becoming a member of the primary workforce.
After an evening unused within the Champions League in opposition to Girona it’s virtually sure that Norris will begin in opposition to Southampton.
In doing so he’ll make his first actual senior look, after that includes for youth sides within the cup clashes with Aston Villa (2019) and Shrewsbury (2022) when Jurgen Klopp‘s facet have been in any other case occupied.
Norris’ gritty, industrious model of full-back play ought to make him a reliable choice for Liverpool on the evening.
Wataru Endo
There was a confusion of late over Slot’s use of Endo, with the Japan captain barely registering in both the Premier League or the Champions League.
However he has began in every of the earlier two rounds of the Carabao Cup and may accomplish that once more in midweek.
It is not going to solely present Ryan Gravenberch a much-needed evening off – having been key to Liverpool’s comeback in opposition to Fulham as he swapped from midfield to defence and again once more – however it’ll enable Endo to search out his sharpness once more.
With the prospect of Norris and maybe 18-year-old centre-back Amara Nallo beginning behind him in defence, Slot can depend upon Endo’s expertise to carry issues collectively.
“That’s what makes the workforce robust as properly, that those coming in don’t are available in with the mistaken perspective; they all the time are available in with the proper perspective,” the pinnacle coach mentioned not too long ago.
Alexis Mac Allister
Whereas followers may anticipate to see a number of fringe gamers on the pitch at St Mary’s, no less than one in every of Slot’s first-choice starters will likely be known as upon.
Mac Allister has not featured because the 3-3 draw with Newcastle on December 4, lacking the final two video games by suspension, which means by Wednesday he is not going to have performed in a fortnight.
That makes a begin within the quarter-final helpful for a participant who will then resume regular duties within the Premier League.
In some ways it is going to be the best alternative for Mac Allister to get his rhythm again, having frolicked on vacation throughout his enforced absence earlier than watching his teammates in opposition to Fulham.
And with Liverpool nonetheless keen to achieve the semi-finals with victory over Southampton, his presence will little doubt be key.
Tyler Morton
When it emerged that Morton had suffered a knock within the buildup to Liverpool’s journey to Girona, followers have been left to bemoan extra unlucky timing for the younger midfielder.
Not solely have been there hopes he may begin that Champions League tie, however a brand new damage solid doubt over a surefire begin alongside Endo within the Carabao Cup.
However regardless of once more lacking coaching two days prior, Morton returned to the matchday squad in opposition to Fulham on Saturday in an enormous indication that he will likely be prepared for midweek.
Denied a mortgage transfer to Bayer Leverkusen on the finish of the switch window, Morton has thus far performed solely six instances this season – with 4 of these coming for the U21s – and his solely senior begin got here in opposition to Brighton within the fourth spherical.
Morton is greater than able to getting into Liverpool’s midfield for these lower-profile fixtures, and it is just truthful given the chance he was spurned in the summertime.
Federico Chiesa
“In the event you haven’t performed for 5 or 6 months it’s typically troublesome for a supervisor to offer him his first minutes, since you don’t know precisely what you may anticipate,” Slot mirrored on Chiesa’s return to availability final week.
The Dutchman added: “Perhaps the Southampton sport is perhaps second for him to get some taking part in minutes after which we all know a bit higher what we are able to anticipate from him.”
All however confirmed to be in rivalry, it will be no shock if Chiesa was chosen to start out at St Mary’s given he already has an hour of motion below his belt, having began for the U21s earlier within the month.
It has been a protracted, gradual course of for Liverpool’s solely summer season signing, however the perception stays that, after an important, delayed pre-season, he is usually a essential cog in Slot’s assault.
His subsequent step in direction of gaining that standing ought to come in opposition to Southampton – maybe lastly affording Mo Salah a relaxation after 9 consecutive begins.
Predicted Liverpool XI vs. Southampton: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Gomez, Norris; Endo, Morton, Mac Allister; Elliott, Chiesa, Nunez
