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Liverpool and Southampton will go head-to-head at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon as Arne Slot's side look to extend their lead at the top of the table.
The Reds currently sit 13 points clear of Arsenal and could extend their lead to 16 points with a win, and come into the game on the back of a lucky win against Paris Saint-Germain in midweek in the Champions League. The Saints on the other hand have claimed just two wins all season and are in poor form for this clash.
Both teams have injury worries for this clash which could give the managers some decisions to make, and this is how GIVEMESPORT expect the sides to line up.
Liverpool Team News
Gakpo facing a late check
Liverpool's Cody Gakpo
Liverpool's Cody Gakpo
Forward Cody Gakpo was forced to miss the win in Paris in midweek with an ankle problem, but Slot is hopeful that his fellow countryman will be available for this game.
Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez are still unavailable with hamstring injuries, but Slot could look to rotate his team a bit in order to hand them a rest ahead of the second leg against PSG and the Carabao Cup final to come next week.
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Liverpool Injuries and Suspensions
Player
Cody Gakpo
Conor Bradley
Joe Gomez
Slot Drops Team News Update
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Slot shared an update on the squad.
Liverpool Predicted XI
Jones to start
curtis jones liverpool
curtis jones liverpool
Liverpool Predicted XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Jones, Diaz; Nunez.
Liverpool Predicted Substitutes: Kelleher (GK), Quansah (DEF), Robertson (DEF), Gravenberch (MID), Szoboszlai (MID), Nyoni (MID), Elliott (MID), Chiesa (FWD), Jota (FWD).
With a huge week of fixtures looming, Slot is likely to make some changes to his side to hand players rest. Wataru Endo was excellent as a substitute in midweek and could get a rare start in midfield alongside Curtis Jones, while Darwin Nunez's assist off the bench could see him come into the side too.
That would see £470,000-per-week trio Andy Robertson, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai benched.
Southampton Team News
Lallana fit to return
Adam Lallana
Adam Lallana
The Saints will welcome back experienced playmaker Adam Lallana from injury for this game, while Juric will also be able to use Lesley Ugochukwu as he was unavailable last time out against his parent club.
Jan Bednarek should be available while Kyle Walker-Peters is fit despite limping off in the last game. James Bree, Ross Stewart, Ryan Fraser and Juan Larios remain injured though.
Juric Drops Team News Update
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Juric shared an update on his squad.
Southampton Predicted XI
Dibling to start in attack
Tyler Dibling celebrating after scoring for Southampton
Tyler Dibling celebrating after scoring for Southampton
Southampton Predicted XI: Ramsdale; Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis, Bella-Kotchap; Walker-Peters, Downes, Ugochukwu, Sugawara; Fernandes; Dibling, Onuachu.
Southampton Predicted Substitutes: McCarthy (GK), Manning (DEF), Stephens (DEF), Wood (DEF), Aribo (MID), Lallana (MID), Smallbone (MID), Kamaldeen (FWD), Archer (FWD).
Southampton are all but relegated already but Juric is likely to make some changes with experienced players available again. Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis, Ugochukwu and Tyler Dibling should all start, which will see Lallana, Kamaldeen Sulemana and Cameron Archer benched.