Liverpool Starting XI vs Southampton: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup | OneFootball

Liverpool prepare to rotate for Southampton clash

Liverpool are set to ring the changes for their Carabao Cup meeting with Southampton at Anfield. Arne Slot, who guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in his debut season, will use this third-round tie to rotate heavily and hand opportunities to younger players.

Young talent in focus

Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Ryan Gravenberch, Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai will all be rested after Saturday’s 2-1 win in the Merseyside derby. Into the spotlight could step Giovanni Leoni, the 18-year-old centre-half signed from Parma on deadline day for £26m. Another teenager, 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha, is pushing for a start after scoring the winner last month.

Key players returning

New £125m signing Alexander Isak is expected to lead the line in place of Hugo Ekitike, with Slot eager to get minutes into his legs. Jeremie Frimpong will be looking to make an impression at right-back on his return from injury, while Wataru Endo is set to anchor the midfield. In goal, Georgi Mamardashvili is poised to start.

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Fringe options under Slot

With Liverpool top of the Premier League, Slot views this competition as a platform to give opportunities to Curtis Jones, Joe Gomez and Federico Chiesa, who have all seen limited action this season. Slot has never been afraid of trusting youth, so further involvement for Trey Nyoni and Jayden Danns would not surprise.

Predicted Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili, Frimpong, Gomez, Leoni, Robertson, Nyoni, Jones, Endo, Chiesa, Ngumoha, Isak

Kick-off: 8pm BST, Tuesday, September 23, 2025How to watch: ITV and Sky Sports