Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs Southampton: ‘Relentless’ Forward Returns From Injury

Liverpool host Southampton at Anfield on February 28 as they aim to add more silverware after winning the Carabao Cup last weekend. The FA Cup fifth-round tie will include the use of VAR as Anfield is a Premier League stadium, and there will be no replays: it will go to extra-time and penalties after 90 minutes. This is our Liverpool predicted lineup.

Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs Southampton in FA Cup Clash

Matchday at Anfield 🏟️

We take on Southampton in the fifth round of the #EmiratesFACup 👊🔴#LIVSOU | #WalkOn pic.twitter.com/BWyUVMB6Om

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 28, 2024

How Liverpool Have Lined-up Recently

Caoimhin Kelleher has started in all competitions with Alisson Becker injured.

At left-back is Andy Robertson, with youngster Conor Bradley at right-back. Joe Gomez has played in both positions. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are centre-backs, though Jurgen Klopp has not been afraid to use Jarell Quansah.

Wataru Endo has started in the number six role, with Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones alongside him. Ryan Gravenberch has provided depth in the midfield.

Luis Diaz has been a constant in the front three on the left wing. Darwin Nunez has started up front with Diogo Jota to his right, but injuries saw Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott replace them respectively in the EFL Cup final.

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Liverpool Recent Form and Tactics

Klopp lifted his first piece of silverware this season, his eighth and potentially last for Liverpool – though the Reds are still on for the quadruple. They beat Chelsea 1-0 after extra-time in the EFL Cup final.

The stars of the show were the goalkeepers. Kelleher prevented 2.95 expected goals on target, including a one-on-one save with Conor Gallagher and a great double save after a close-range effort from Cole Palmer and a follow-up by Nicolas Jackson.

Van Dijk eventually finished the job with a superb header from a corner in the 118th minute.

The Dutchman had scored a near-identical header earlier on (but from a free-kick), making the same darting run and powered header into the bottom-left corner without really jumping. However, that one was ruled out for offside by Endo who was ‘screening’ Levi Colwill.

Liverpool’s aerial threat is becoming a real danger to the opposition, with two headers against Luton Town and three against Burnley.

Liverpool Injuries to Consider

Klopp confirmed injury news at his press conference.

Gravenberch was stretchered off against Chelsea, and Klopp confirms it is a “ligament injury”, but it “could have been much worse”. He will definitely be out for “this game, next game”. In the same match, Endo picked up a “proper knock” and will be assessed before the clash with Saints.

As we learned before the final, Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Diogo Jota will be out until “after the international break” whilst Jones is back “around the international break”.

Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, and Dominik Szoboszlai were all subject to a “last minute” decision that ruled them out for the final, and will be reassessed for this fixture – “it’s touch and go”.

If any return, we expect it to be Nunez – the “relentless” forward is the only one not to be suffering from a recurring injury. There is “no timescale” for Thiago Alcantara who returned from injury for one game only, and Stefan Bajcetic is still “gaining fitness” but is “pain-free”.

Joel Matip is out until the end of the season.