Southampton v Liverpool: Preview and possible line-ups

TEAM NEWS

Southampton

There are no injury concerns for Southampton after the 1-0 victory over Brighton on Saturday, meaning that boss Ralph Hassenhuttl may well be able to name an unchanged team for the match. Michael Obafemi and Jannik Vestergaard remain absent for the hosts, but Irishman Shane Long, who missed his country's Euro qualifiers with a groin injury, may be available. 

Liverpool

Virgil Van Dijk picked up an ankle injury towards the end of the 2-1 win over Tottenham, but he has been training and should be back to face his old club. Sadio Mane is another former Saint who will be expected to play, whilst Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana will be hoping for some rotation by Jurgen Klopp, it is a game too early for Liverpool's other former Saint, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. With the Champions League tie against Porto in the week, Klopp is likely to rest Jordan Henderson and James Milner in favour of Fabinho and Naby Keita. Mo Salah is still searching for his 50th Liverpool Premier League goal, and despite failing to score in his past 8 games for the reds, he has bagged each time he has faced Southampton in the League.

MANAGERS' THOUGHTS

Southampton manager Ralph Hassenhuttl following the victory over Brighton and the turn of form at St Mary's: 

"It was a massive victory for us, the belief of the players is admirable, they never give up. The celebrations said it all, this was a big win for us"

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on Mohammed Salah's form and Virgil Van Dijk's fitness:

"When everybody is talking about 'he didn't score in I don't know how many games', he doesn't seem to be bothered about it. I'm not, For sure we didn't really speak about it. I think if something is clear and obvious you do speak about it. How do you deal with a situation when he scored 40 goals last year?"

"Virgil trained yesterday [Tuesday] and today, he has trained normally, and I heard nothing different, It all looks okay, quite good."

FORM GUIDE

DID YOU KNOW?

Southampton have won 4 of their last 8 matches at St. Mary's after winning only 1 of their previous 16 before that.

Liverpool and Manchester City have rotated at the top of the Premier League 25 times this season.

No side has ever stayed in the Premier League with 33 points, the total Southampton currently have.

POSSIBLE TEAMS:

Southampton: Gunn; Valery, Bednarek, Yoshida, Bertrand; Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Hojbjerg, Armstrong; Ings, Redmond.

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Keita, Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane.