Arne Slot looks to kick star into life as Liverpool release starting line-up vs Southampton
Liverpool have confirmed their starting XI for Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup clash against Southampton at Anfield.
It will come as no surprise that Liverpool are overwhelming favourites to beat Southampton, with Opta’s supercomputer giving the visitors just a three per cent chance of progressing.
Will Still’s side have endured a tough start to the season, winning just one of their six Championship games so far.
Liverpool beat Everton 2-1 on Saturday to extend their winning run to six games, on the other hand, with Slot’s side also kicking off their Champions League campaign in fashion in midweek.
Following Saturday’s match, Slot confirmed that Mohamed Salah would not feature against Southampton.
Arne Slot makes wholesale changes vs Southampton
Rio Ngumoha was expected to start against Southampton, and the winger does, forming a front three with Alexander Isak and Federico Chiesa.
Giorgi Mamardashvili has been handed his Liverpool debut, along with Giovanni Leoni, who also makes his first start for the Reds.
Curtis Jones has returned for Slot’s side, and the midfielder lines up alongside youngster Trey Nyoni and Japan international Wataru Endo in midfield.
Joe Gomez lines up alongside Leoni in defence, with Andy Robertson and Jeremie Frimpong supporting them on either side.
Arne Slot looks to play Alexander Isak into form
It would have been foolish to expect Isak to hit the ground running at Liverpool, after the Swede missed the entirety of pre-season amid his efforts to leave Newcastle United.
But still, the striker has looked as if he is still attempting to form connections with his new teammates in his two appearances so far.
Tuesday’s match will present a chance to do exactly that, with Isak set to feature from the first whistle.
Slot will hope that the striker’s first Liverpool goal will see the floodgates open, although the Dutchman still faces a conundrum in attack.
| Alexander Isak | Vs Atletico Madrid |
| Minutes played | 58 |
| Accurate passes | 13 |
| Shots | 2 |
| Successful dribbles | 1/3 |
| Duels won | 3/6 |
| Fouls committed | 1 |
Hugo Ekitike scored against Everton, and continues to be a reliable threat for Liverpool when deployed through the middle.
Should Isak score against Southampton, however, Slot will be forced to pick between two in-form strikers when the Reds take on Crystal Palace on Saturday.
That being said, such problems are not bad at all to have, with the option of playing both strikers still available.
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