This is the most lopsided of the four League Cup quarterfinals, as the Premier League’s bottom side, managerless Southampton, host the league leaders Liverpool on Wednesday.
Russell Martin was sacked on Sunday after Saints’ humbling 5-0 home defeat to Tottenham and it was coming. After 16 games of the Premier League season the newly-promoted side have just one win and five points on the board as Martin’s possession-based, high-risk approach never looked like working. Saints only lost 3-2 at home against Liverpool last month and led 2-1 until late on.
But Arne Slot’s Liverpool have that great knack of not looking like they’re going to lose. Yes, they’ve drawn against Newcastle and Fulham in their last two Premier League games but the latter saw them battle for over 75 minutes with 10 men to fight back twice and grab a 2-2 draw. Some shaky defensive displays has given the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal hope that Liverpool can be caught in the title race but Slot’s side are still looking great and will rotate their team heavily for this League Cup quarterfinal. Slot won’t be on the touchline on Wednesday due to a suspension.
How to watch Southampton vs Liverpool live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Wednesday (December 18)
Venue: St Mary’s — Southampton
TV Channel: Paramount+
Streaming: Paramount+
Southampton team news, focus
Saints’ U21 manager Simon Rusk is in interim charge for this game as they search for a successor to Martin. The main task is to keep themselves in games. Right now they’re making so many defensive mistakes and gifting goals to opponents. The likes of Lallana, Onuachu and Archer should all start as Southampton try and stay solid and be a threat on the break, while goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale could be back from injury which is a big boost.
OUT: Gavin Bazunu (Achilles), Ross Stewart (muscular), William Smallbone (thigh), Jack Stephens (suspension), Juan Larios (unspecified), Adam Armstrong (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Aaron Ramsdale (finger)
Liverpool team news, focus
This is a great opportunity for Slot to rotate his side heavily. Chiesa, Jota, Elliott, Endo, Nunez, Morton, Quansah and Kelleher should all start and they deserve their chance as they’ve waited patiently this season. Slot has a clear starting XI but these squad players have never let him down and are stepping up whenever called upon.
OUT: Conor Bradley (hamstring), Ibrahima Konate (knee), Andy Robertson (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Kostas Tsimikas (foot)
Southampton vs Liverpool prediction
This could get ugly but Southampton won’t be anywhere near as adventurous as they were under Martin. Expect Liverpool to be a bit disjointed with so many changes, but they’ll get the job done. Southampton 1-2 Liverpool.
