Liverpool vs Southampton team news and line-ups: Philippe Coutinho starts for Reds in EFL Cup semi-final second leg just hours after signing new contract
All the latest from the Liverpool and Southampton camps ahead of the crunch tie
LIVERPOOL welcome Southampton to Anfield on Wednesday with the hope of overturning a 0-1 deficit from the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final.
Nathan Redmond's first-half strike was just reward for a dominant performance from the Saints who might have felt they deserved more following a poor performance from Jurgen Klopp's Reds.
The first-leg result was the first of back-to-back defeats for Liverpool as they succumbed to a 2-3 defeat at home to Swansea at the weekend.
Claude Puel's men, meanwhile, approach the match in a buoyant mood having battered champions Leicester 3-0 at St Mary's on Sunday.
The Liverpool will be hoping for another famous night under the Anfield lights as their team aims to reach the final for the second successive year after last season's Wembley defeat to Manchester City on penalties.
What time is it on?
Liverpool face Southampton at Anfield on Wednesday 25 January, with the match kicking off at 7.45pm.
What TV channel is it on?
Fans can watch the game on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1 HD from 7.30pm.
Any team news?
Joel Matip is in contention to start for the Reds after being left on the bench for the Swansea defeat following last-minute clearance from FIFA to let the retired Cameroon international play.
One player who still missing is Sadio Mane, the Senegalese international remains on international duty at the African Cup of Nations in Gabon.
For the Saints, Sofiane Boufal is still injured having withdrawn from the Morocco squad last week while Steven Davis is still a doubt after missing his side's last 3 matches.
Virgil van Dijk may also be missing for the Saints after a heavy challenge from Leicester's Jamie Vardy at the weekend forced him off the pitch. As a result, youngster Jack Stephens may be required to partner Maya Yoshida at the heart of the defence.
Match facts
- Southampton have won three out of their last four matches in all competitions (3W, 1L)
- Liverpool are on a poor run of form at the moment with one win in six matches (3D, 2L), the win coming in the FA Cup against Plymouth last week
- The last six times the sides have faced-off at Anfield, Liverpool have won three times with Southampton winning twice, the last match ending as a draw in October 2015.