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Liverpool team news: Predicted XI vs Southampton with Gakpo and Alexander-Arnold decisions

Liverpool return to Premier League action to face Southampton with the opportunity to move, at least temporarily, 16 points clear at the top of the table. The Reds have not played in the league since February 26 and can move another step closer to the title by beating the basement dwellers at Anfield today.

Arne Slot's table-toppers are 24 games unbeaten in England's top flight while Southampton have won just twice in 27 matches. Express Sport looks at how Liverpool could line up against the Saints with five potential changes after their Champions League triumph away at PSG on Wednesday night...

Goalkeeper: Alisson

Fresh from the best performance of his Liverpool career at PSG, Alisson will hope for another clean sheet against a Southampton team who have scored a mere 19 goals in 27 league games this season.

Two of those strikes came at St Mary's against Slot's side but Caoimhin Kelleher was in goal that day with Alisson injured. The Brazilian is three clean sheets behind Golden Glove leader Matz Sels with 10 games to go.

Defence: Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas

Two potential changes could come in defence. With Conor Bradley unavailable due to injury, Trent Alexander-Arnold will be asked to go again at right-back but Ibrahima Konate could be rested given his chequered fitness record during his time at Anfield.

Jarell Quansah could partner captain Virgil van Dijk before moving to right-back around the hour mark to offer Alexander-Arnold some rest. Wataru Endo could stand in at centre-back for the final 30 minutes.

At left-back, Andy Robertson should drop out of the starting line-up for Kostas Tsimikas. Robertson will then start in the second leg against PSG on Tuesday and next Sunday's Carabao Cup final versus Newcastle.

Midfield: Mac Allister, Jones; Elliott

Ryan Gravenberch is another who could get a breather after an exhaustive midweek Champions League match. Curtis Jones would be the likeliest option to displace him in a deeper role, partnering Alexis Mac Allister in a match in which Liverpool should dominate possession.

Dominik Szoboszlai has played the full 90 minutes of the last six games and is due a rest. Given Harvey Elliott scored the winner at the Parc des Princes, he could be in line to start in the No.10 role. He has yet to start a single Premier League match this season and will be desperate for the chance.

Attack: Salah, Diaz, Nunez

Cody Gakpo would've been guaranteed to start at left wing if he was fit but due to reaggravating his ankle problem, the Dutchman is only likely to get minutes from the substitutes' bench if he plays at all.

Luis Diaz should again start on the left with Mohamed Salah - on 25 goals and 17 assists in 28 league games - on the right. Diogo Jota has looked short of sharpness since his return from injury so Darwin Nunez's assist in Paris should see him rewarded with a start here.

Back-up forward Federico Chiesa will hope for his first minutes since the FA Cup fourth-round loss at Plymouth last month.

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