Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Southampton will have Sadio Mane available after he successfully appealed against the red card he received against Stoke last weekend.
Victor Wanyama returns after serving a five-match suspension, while Jose Fonte is also available after a ban.
Liverpool left-back Alberto Moreno will have another scan on the hamstring injury which ruled him out on Thursday but he could be involved.
The visitors are still without suspended midfielder James Milner.
Editor’s Note: 8th plays 9th in this Lunchtime encounter but both sides still harbour hopes of European Qualification for next season. Although Liverpool find themselves in 9th place they have the ace up their sleeve in that they have games in hand over the rest of the chasing pack.
This game could very well define the rest of the season for both sides. For Southampton a win puts them well in the Europa League hunt and would probably kill off Liverpool’s Champions League aspirations, while a win for Jurgen Klopp’s side would give a huge boost to the chances of snatching a Top 4 place
If result’s go Southampton’s way they could go up to 6th and above Manchester United, with the F.A. Cup looking as it is then it looks like only 6th will be sufficient to get that final Europa League spot through the League so there are a lot of teams still in the hunt.
The reason Southampton are still in the mix is due to their win away at Stoke last Weekend, the win halted Stoke’s hopes but boosted Southampton’s and more importantly it was a first win in four matches for Ronald Koeman’s side
Their opposition Today Liverpool will no doubt be buoyant after their progression to the Europa League Quarter Finals and knocking out hated rivals Manchester United along the way. The reward for Jurgen Klopp is to be paired up with his former side Borussia Dortmund in what will no doubt be the tie of the round.
They were made to work a bit harder on Thursday against Manchester United then they were the week previous but that 2-0 lead that they carried into the 2nd leg saw them in good stead and gave United too much to do to overturn that advantage.
The key for Liverpool now is whether they can go on an unbeaten run between now and the end of the season to get themselves right in the mix of the European places. The fact that they’ve taken 10 points from a possible 12 in the last four matches points to things heading in the right direction at the right time.
Daniel Sturridge is fit and back playing again and he and Liverpool had a great time out last time they visited Southampton as they hit The Saints for six in the Capital One Cup earlier in the season.
I don’t think it will be Liverpool hitting Southampton for Six today but I do think they will be the favourites going into Today’s tie. I’m going to put my money on a win for Jurgen Klopp’s side and keep their Champions League hopes alive. An away win for me.
