Southampton vs Liverpool - it happened: Nathan Redmond strike hands Saints first-leg advantage
Re-live all the action from the EFL Cup semi-final clash
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Vital information...
Kick-off: 19:45
TV: Live on Sky Sports 1
Teams:
Southampton: Forster, Cédric, van Dijk, Yoshida, Bertrand, Clasie, Romeu, Davis, Tadić, Redmond, Rodriguez. Subs: Lewis, Long, Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Stephens, McQueen, Sims.
Liverpool: Karius, Clyne, Lovren, Klavan, Milner, Lucas, Can, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Firmino, Sturridge. Subs: Mignolet, Gomez, Moreno, Stewart, Coutinho, Woodburn, Origi
Follow the action below...
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It’s a big game for...
Claude Puel. The Frenchman has come under gradually increasing pressure, losing three matches in the space of four. A win here would certainly ease worries ahead of a tricky away cup tie later in the month.
Best stat...
The last three matches with these two have amassed 12 goals, including the Reds’ enormous 6-1 win against the Saints in last year’s EFL cup, whereas Southampton beat Liverpool 3-2 in the Premier League with Sadio Mane scoring twice.
Remember when…
The last time Liverpool visited St Mary’s Divock Origi gave them nightmares with his movement and ultimately wound up scoring the perfect hat trick against them. Look for him to feature heavily against Southampton on Wednesday night.
Player to watch…
Loris Karius. Klopp has confirmed that the German goalkeeper will very likely start against the Saints, after previously being dropped in favour of Simon Mignolet. He has been the centre of public criticism, even involving himself in a public spat with Gary Neville, and he will want to give a good account of himself.
Past three meetings...
Southampton 0 Liverpool 0, Premier League, 2016.
Southampton 3 (Mane 2, Pelle) Liverpool 2 (Coutinho, Sturridge) Premier League, 2016.
Southampton 1 (Mane) Liverpool 6 (Sturridge 2, Origi 3, Ibe) EFL Cup, 2015.
Form guide...
Southampton: DLLLW
Liverpool: WWWWDD
Odds...
Southampton: 21/10
Liverpool: 5/4
Draw: 12/5
(Odds provided by 888Sport)
Good evening and welcome to the Independent's live coverage of tonight's EFL Cup semi-final clash between Southampton and Liverpool. We'll be bringing you all the build up and minute-by-minute updates from St Mary's as both sides set their sights on a place in the cup final. Team news from 6.45pm so make sure to stay tuned!
Jurgen Klopp taking this fixture much more seriously than the clash against Plymouth at the weekend. Out with the young and in with the new it seems. The likes of Georginio Wijnaldum and Adam Lallana return to the starting line up while Joe Gomez and Ben Woodburn have dropped to the bench. No room for Trent Alexander-Arnold though. Klopp means business tonight.
Perhaps most importantly for Liverpool fans, Philippe Coutinho has made his official return. The Brazilian has been named on the bench and should the game go to plan, there's every chance the influential midfielder could get a few minutes under his belt tonight as he bids to return to full fitness.
Once again Jose Fonte has been left out of the side following his transfer request. Virgil van Dijk and Maya Yoshida form the central partnership at the back while Cedric Soares is back in the line-up after missing out on the weekend's clash against Norwich. Nathan Redmond and Jay Rodriguez also return to help lead the Saints front line.
Speaking ahead of tonight's clash, Jurgen Klopp sought to downplay suggestions that his side are now under greater pressure to perform after the disappointment of their 0-0 draw with Plymouth at the weekend.
"There is no more pressure on us," he said. "It is an opportunity. It is always a new day.
"I said to the lads last year it would not be the last final they would be involved in and this is the first chance to prove this."
A reminder that the last time these two sides met in the League Cup ended in a 6-1 hammering for Saints. And if Southampton's recent form is anything to go by, Claude Puel's men could be in for another drilling tonight. The side are without a win in four and look increasingly out of sorts. Victory over these two-legs could be the spark that Saints need, however. There's a lot up for grabs tonight.
Some last minute thoughts from the managers?
Claude Puel: “It’s an exciting game against great players. We can do a good first leg.”
Jurgen Klopp: “When you can smell the final, you try to do anything to go there.”
They're out of the tunnel and onto the pitch. Predictions anyone? I'm going 3-1 Liverpool. Though don't hold me to that...
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