EFL Cup Liverpool Vs Southampton: The Reds Aim To Escape, Saints Look For Surprise At Anfield

JAKARTA - Liverpool will start their journey in the English League Cup (EFL Cup) this season by hosting Southampton at Anfield on Tuesday, September 23. This match is the first step in the Reds in an effort to win their 11th EFL Cup title in their history.

The Arne Slot squad appeared fierce at the start of the 2025/26 season. They are now sitting sweet at the top of the Premier League standings with a perfect record of 15 points from five matches. Most recently, Liverpool beat city rivals Everton 2-1 in the Merseyside Derby. However, their performance was shaky in the second half, mainly due to exhaustion after a fierce duel against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League which ended 3-2 for Liverpool's victory.

The Reds' productivity is unquestionable. They have scored 14 goals in six games this season and have always been able to find the opponent's goal in 39 consecutive matches in the Premier League. Even so, the defense sector is a special note. Liverpool have conceded three goals in one game this season, even throwing away a 2-0 lead before finally scoring a winning goal in stoppage time.

On the other hand, Southampton came to Anfield in a less than ideal condition. Will Still's team is still stuck in 19th place in the Championship with six points from six matches. They have just lost 1-3 to Hull City, a result that adds to the burden ahead of facing Liverpool.

In the last five meetings, Southampton have always lost to Liverpool. Their away record is also less convincing, with just one win from the last four games outside the home. Even so, their experience at the EFL Cup was quite good, breaking through the semifinals of 2022/23 and last season's quarter-finals.

Arne Slot will certainly rotate his squad. Dominik Szoboszlai, Mohamed Salah, Ryan Gravenberch, Ibrahima Konate, and Virgil van Dijk will be rested because they have always appeared since the start of the season. Federico Chiesa has the opportunity to descend from the start in the wing sector, while Trey Nyoni's wonderkid can be paired with Wataru Endo in midfield. Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili will also be given the opportunity to appear.

Southampton will most likely use a three-back formation to strengthen the defense.rocky Edwards, Nathan Wood, and Jack Stephens are expected to be the main choices in the heart of defense. Flynn Downes, who was absent due to illness against Hull, could be played in order to regain his physical sharpness.

Southampton could have taken advantage of the gap in the back line of Liverpool without Van Dijk. However, the depth of the Reds squad remains the main weapon. With the quality of the coating players still far above the opponent, Liverpool are expected to win convincingly.

Estimated Lineup Of Players

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Leoni, Gomez, Robertson; Nyoni, Endo; Ngumoha, Jones, Chiesa; Isak.

Southampton (3-5-2): McCarthy; Edwards, Wood, Stephens; Roerslev, Fraser, Downes, Charles, Manning; Stewart, Archer.

Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Southampton