James Bree has been ruled out ahead of Southampton's trip to Liverpool on Saturday. _(Image: Southampton FC/Matt Watson)_
DEFENDER James Bree has been ruled out ahead of Southampton's trip to Premier League leaders Liverpool, manager Ivan Juric has confirmed.
Bree, 27, has started in nine of Southampton's 10 Premier League games under the Croatian, only missing the first fixture against West Ham.
However, he was forced off midway through the first half of their 4-0 defeat at Chelsea last Tuesday and replaced by the returning Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Juric is also able to welcome Jan Bednarek back to the squad at Liverpool, while Kyle Walker-Peters has shaken off a knock.
Former Reds midfielder Adam Lallana is also fit once again, as hoped, after missing the last three games.
The 36 year old's last start for Southampton came in the reverse fixture against Liverpool at St Mary's, which ended with a 3-2 defeat.
"We are all good, only James Bree is out," Juric confirmed on Thursday ahead of Saturday's game at Anfield.
"I can say that when we had our defensive (options), we were much better with Jan and with Harwood-Bellis.
"I didn't have to adapt anybody who was there in the defence. Now everybody is coming back. This is good news for us."
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