Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho are both set to return for Liverpool in their Capital One Cup quarter-final clash at Southampton on Wednesday.
Coutinho has missed the Reds' last two games - against Bordeaux and Swansea - with a hamstring injury, while Sturridge's sustained fitness problems have seen him play just 19 times for Liverpool in 2015.
The England international pulled out of Liverpool's Europa League game against Bordeaux on Thursday with a foot problem, before returning to the pitch for a 20-minute cameo against Swansea at the weekend.
Now, Jurgen Klopp is set to give Sturridge more minutes as he hopes to get his season up and running, while captain Jordan Henderson also returns to the fray after injury.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the game, Klopp said: "We cannot ignore that this game could have overtime; 120 minutes would be too much for both [Sturridge and Henderson].
"If nothing happens from now, they will be in the squad. We have these two options."
Southampton, who have beaten MK Dons and Aston Villa to reach the quarter final stage, have lost their last two matches, against Manchester City and Stoke, but will hope to return to winning ways against Liverpool in the quarter final at St Mary's.
Liverpool have beaten Carlisle and Bournemouth to reach this stage, and Klopp revealed on Tuesday he is well aware of the rivalry between his side and Southampton.
"I hear Southampton and Liverpool are not the best friends," Klopp told reporters. "So it will be a feisty game.
"I knew Southampton from before. They're a good team, brilliantly offensively. [Dusan] Tadic is difficult to play against."
Team news
Adam Bogdan is set to start in goal for Liverpool, replacing first-choice Simon Mignolet, while Henderson will play a part after returning from injury.
Adam Bogdan, pictured celebrating against Carlisle in the second round, is set to play a part
The midfielder had been sidelined since mid-August with a foot injury, but he returned as a second-half substitute alongside Sturridge in the win over Swansea on Sunday.
Graziano Pelle is also expected to return to the Southampton squad after sitting out his side's defeat by Manchester City through suspension, but Koeman must decide whether to start him or Shane Long.
Speaking in a press conference on Tuesday, Koeman confirmed that Jose Fonte will miss the game after suffering a hamstring injury against Manchester City, with Steven Caulker likely to replace him.
Opta stats
Southampton have made the quarter-finals for the second successive season, but they lost at this stage to Sheffield United in 2014/15. The last time they went beyond the last eight was in 1987, losing to Liverpool in the semi-final.
Eight-time winners Liverpool are looking to reach the semi-final stage for the third time in five seasons.
Southampton have lost their last two home games in all competitions against Liverpool, having won the previous three in a row.
The Reds have progressed in three of the last four League Cup ties against Southampton, most recently on their way to winning the trophy in the 2002/03 campaign.
Sadio Mane (left) scored and was sent off against Liverpool in October
Sadio Mane scored and was sent off in the meeting with Liverpool in October, which ended 1-1 at Anfield.
Christian Benteke has scored in each of his last two games against Southampton, both in the Premier League.
Charlie Nicholas' prediction
"Well this one really is the pick of the draw. Southampton have been a bit disappointing, yes, but they didn't play badly at Manchester City according to Merse. They missed Graziano Pelle and will have him back against Liverpool. Ronald Koeman will be another one thinking why can't we have a go at winning this? They may not have the depth of some teams but they have a very good side.
"Then we have the resurgence under Jurgen Klopp and everyone going crazy because they're up to sixth in the Premier League. It was another grind at home against Swansea and they'll probably prefer being able to play on the counter-attack again here. Koeman will say 'we're at home, we'll play our game' and I think they'll win this one."
Southampton vs Liverpool: Returning stars have Ibe in buoyant mood
Following three consecutive wins and with key men returning, spirits are high at Anfield ahead of their midweek League Cup trip South
Liverpool midfielder Jordon Ibe feels the sky is the limit for his side ahead of Wednesday's League Cup fifth-round clash with Southampton at St Mary's Stadium.
The positive impact of Jurgen Klopp's arrival on Merseyside shows little sign of abating, with Liverpool having beaten Manchester City, Bordeaux and Swansea City in consecutive matches.
Those three victories – which followed a defeat to Crystal Palace that interrupted another three-match winning run – ensured a place in the Europa League knockout stage while moving Klopp's men sixth in the Premier League.
The latter of those wins – a hard-fought 1-0 success against Swansea – saw the return of captain Jordan Henderson and striker Daniel Sturridge, who featured off the bench for the first time since Klopp's appointment in October.
With confidence high at Anfield and playmaker Philippe Coutinho likely to be fit for their midweek cup assignment after a hamstring problem, Ibe says Liverpool will travel to the south coast full of confidence.
"It was a big lift having the two of them back out there," Ibe told the Liverpool Echo.
"Jordan and Daniel are big figures in the team and hopefully they will get back to form. We all know how important they can be for us on the pitch.
"We've got good players coming back in and also Philippe Coutinho is close to being back as well, so hopefully we will climb even higher.
"Anything is possible right now. We will take it game by game and try to do it again on Wednesday."
In the sides' previous meeting this season, the points were shared after Saido Mane cancelled out Christian Benteke's opener on Merseyside.
The positive impact of Jurgen Klopp's arrival on Merseyside shows little sign of abating, with Liverpool having beaten Manchester City, Bordeaux and Swansea City in consecutive matches.
Those three victories – which followed a defeat to Crystal Palace that interrupted another three-match winning run – ensured a place in the Europa League knockout stage while moving Klopp's men sixth in the Premier League.
The latter of those wins – a hard-fought 1-0 success against Swansea – saw the return of captain Jordan Henderson and striker Daniel Sturridge, who featured off the bench for the first time since Klopp's appointment in October.
With confidence high at Anfield and playmaker Philippe Coutinho likely to be fit for their midweek cup assignment after a hamstring problem, Ibe says Liverpool will travel to the south coast full of confidence.
"It was a big lift having the two of them back out there," Ibe told the Liverpool Echo.
"Jordan and Daniel are big figures in the team and hopefully they will get back to form. We all know how important they can be for us on the pitch.
"We've got good players coming back in and also Philippe Coutinho is close to being back as well, so hopefully we will climb even higher.
"Anything is possible right now. We will take it game by game and try to do it again on Wednesday."
In the sides' previous meeting this season, the points were shared after Saido Mane cancelled out Christian Benteke's opener on Merseyside.
With confidence high at Anfield and playmaker Philippe Coutinho likely to be fit for their midweek cup assignment after a hamstring problem, Ibe says Liverpool will travel to the south coast full of confidence.
"It was a big lift having the two of them back out there," Ibe told the Liverpool Echo.
"Jordan and Daniel are big figures in the team and hopefully they will get back to form. We all know how important they can be for us on the pitch.
"We've got good players coming back in and also Philippe Coutinho is close to being back as well, so hopefully we will climb even higher.
"Anything is possible right now. We will take it game by game and try to do it again on Wednesday."
In the sides' previous meeting this season, the points were shared after Saido Mane cancelled out Christian Benteke's opener on Merseyside.
Ronald Koeman's side head into the match on the back of a 3-1 defeat at Manchester City and Liverpool have won on their last two visits to St Mary's.
But Shane Long, Southampton's goalscorer on Saturday, feels the hosts have the strength in depth to exceed last season's quarter-final effort, when a surprise loss to Sheffield United halted their progress.
"It was nice being back up front again and to give the gaffer a different option," Long told the club's official website.
"We'll see what happens next week. I feel good how I'm playing at the moment and hopefully I'm giving a bit of a headache to put me in the starting XI.
"It was a big lift having the two of them back out there," Ibe told the Liverpool Echo.
"Jordan and Daniel are big figures in the team and hopefully they will get back to form. We all know how important they can be for us on the pitch.
"We've got good players coming back in and also Philippe Coutinho is close to being back as well, so hopefully we will climb even higher.
"Anything is possible right now. We will take it game by game and try to do it again on Wednesday."
In the sides' previous meeting this season, the points were shared after Saido Mane cancelled out Christian Benteke's opener on Merseyside.
Ronald Koeman's side head into the match on the back of a 3-1 defeat at Manchester City and Liverpool have won on their last two visits to St Mary's.
But Shane Long, Southampton's goalscorer on Saturday, feels the hosts have the strength in depth to exceed last season's quarter-final effort, when a surprise loss to Sheffield United halted their progress.
"It was nice being back up front again and to give the gaffer a different option," Long told the club's official website.
"We'll see what happens next week. I feel good how I'm playing at the moment and hopefully I'm giving a bit of a headache to put me in the starting XI.
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário