Southampton make the long trip to Merseyside on Wednesday night, looking to complete an FA Cup upset.
The Saints are heading to Anfield, where they are set to take on Liverpool. Victory would see them secure a place in the quarter finals of the competition.
After back to back defeats to Hull City and Millwall, there may be a hope here that a positive performance and result can kickstart their season again.
Liverpool though, are on a massive high following their victory over Chelsea in Sunday’s League Cup final. Indeed, they are still aiming to complete a quadruple, in what will be Jurgen Klopp’s final season in charge at Anfield.
This therefore, is going to be far from an easy game for Southampton on Wednesday night.
Latest Southampton team news
Southampton have been dealt a fresh blow in the lead-up to this clash with Liverpool.
Manager Russell Martin has confirmed that winger Ryan Fraser will be out until after the March international break. That comes after he was forced off just 19 minutes into Saturday’s loss to Millwall.
Meanwhile, Ross Stewart and Juan Larios are out with long-term injuries. Bournemouth loanee David Brooks is cup-tied, so will also be absent on Wednesday night.
How Russell Martin could line up vs Liverpool
With some crucial games to come in that all-important Championship relegation battle, there may be some tough selection calls for Martin to make here.
Joe Lumley’s only three Southampton appearances this season have been in the FA Cup. He may therefore get the nod in goal ahead of Gavin Bazunu.
In defence, Jack Stephens could be rotated out again. That may see Ryan Manning return at left-back. In turn, that would allow Kyle Walker-Peters and Taylor Harwood-Bellis to return to more natural right-back and centre back positions respectively.
It remains to be seen if West Ham loanee Flynn Downes will be available at Anfield. As a result, Joe Aribo, Will Smallbone and Stuart Armstrong could again start in midfield for the Saints.
Adam Armstrong is still Southampton’s top scorer this season, and Martin has admitted he may have made a mistake in resting him against Millwall. He could therefore return to take the place of the cup-tied Brooks.
Che Adams should also be part of this attacking three after his recent return from injury. Meanwhile, 21-year-old Sam Edozie could replace the injured Fraser – just as he did from the bench on Saturday – in the fourth change we expect for this one.
Here is how we think Southampton will line up against Liverpool…
Lumley (GK)
Manning
Bednarek
Harwood-Bellis
Walker-Peters
S.Armstrong
Smallbone
Aribo
Edozie
Adams
A.Armstrong