Southampton v Liverpool Weds 18th Dec Carabao Cup QF 20:00 Kick Off

Chiesa hasn't played a game of football since September, and was his only start of the season. Just about lasted the 60 mins. So I don't understand how people are putting him in here to start now. He has to be eased back in after a few months out. Like Elliott was, and like Jota was.

Mac will come back in and I'm praying for an actual Endo start. He needs minutes and not just 5/10 mins here and there at odd games. Maybe Jones again then.

Elliott might have to start RW alongside Nunez and one of Gakpo/Diaz.

Defence is tough to rotate with a lack of bodies.

Agreed. Would love to see 8 or 9 changes from Fulham. Play Cody and Jones from starting 11, maybe Trent too. Give the supers a break. We need to give priority to league. I can't see them winning, I imagine they rotate too. They have to start getting points to stay up, they'd be stupid not to rotate.

Kellher

TAA Quansah Nallo Norris
Macca Endo Morton
Elliot Nunez Cheisa

Would go with similar (no TAA though), and Nyoni in for Morton if hes injured. No idea who comes in at right back. Massively weakened back line but the front six are strong and it could be enough. None of TAA, Virgil and Gomez should be anywhere near this game. A weakened defence at Spurs is asking for it.

This game should be solely focused on what is right for the PL, so players who need minutes starting and then taken off after an hour. Will be a fortnight since Mac played so 60 for him. Perhaps Jota too getting at least 30 minutes.

We have a much smaller squad than last year, plus the injuries, so we have far less capability to be going strong in four competitions. We shouldn't be taking any added risks with first teamers in this and the FA Cup. The CL game vs Madrid has hurt us in losing Konate and Bradley so the last thing we want is losing more key players in this.

Got to play many of the second stringers on Wednesday

Morton is currently out injured

he warmed up at HT right in front of me and was in the match day squad two days ago

Get the kids and fringe guys in for this. We're starting to look a little frayed, so no need to take any risks at all in this comp.

I know we have injury issues and need to protect some players as the cover for them is a bit thin at the moment. But as for playing the kids, wholesale, Id only do that if it was clear we had no interest in this cup.Can you imagine being a seasoned pro, and find the opposition has put a bunch of kids out to play you. If ever there was an incentive to raise your game.  You'd feel totally insulted wouldn't you ? I'd feel safer with a few changes for the vital positions we have little cover for, apart from that, make sure you're strong enough to get the result.  We've had enough hiccups recently. Nows the time to get a grip once more.

These are the types of games where we simply have to rest Virgil, Grav and Salah to keep them fresh for the second half of the season. We need all three on top of their game when it gets down to the business end of things.

Realistically, if Norris or someone like that is starting LB on Wednesday, then VVD has to be beside him. Quansah can't be babysitting a player making his debut beside him and Gomez has to play RB I would think.

Gomez Quansah VVD Norris.

Trent Quansah Gomez Norris

Which one is it going to be?

If we mess about with the back line too much we could lose this one.

That being said it might be worth using the fringe players for the rest of this league cup campaign rather than getting involved in a big 2 leg semi final if we progress with the main side.

Defensive line up like I predicted a week or so back has become very messy.

Hopefully our 2 left backs are available for weekend and I don't want us flogging Trent in this who looks leggy as it is.

What that means for tomorrow's line up is anyone's guess because Virg could really do with the game off too.

Perhaps Endo can come into the defence to help out.

Win it and move on. Mix the team Slot!

We’ll walk this. They’re in a really bad shape.

Arne talking about only having 4 defenders and saying there may be academy players there or players you don't expect to see there. So Ali as a centre back?

We’ll walk this. They’re in a really bad shape.

They maybe super motivated,  we certainly didn't walk the league game.

Kelleher starting

Jota didn’t train so won’t be available

Arne talking about only having 4 defenders and saying there may be academy players there or players you don't expect to see there. So Ali as a centre back?

Personally I am thinking that it will be something like this

Gomez Quansah VVD Norris

https://x.com/thisisanfield/status/1868957639700324500?s=46&t=_4uI6CiVRqge8WqM7F37Iw

Chances are both Nallo and Morris start

So

Gomez Quansah Nallo Morris as a potential back line

Hope Tzimikas can do a stint at LB if training today . Hoped Jota could start but looks unlikely think Chiesa will start . Wonder if Danns will possibly start now

Not sure much is clearer after the Presser, but have a feeling it may be something like this. Not good to hear Jota may miss out but let’s hope it’s just a precaution ahead of the Spurs game:

Kelleher

Gomez (c)
Nallo
Quansah
Norris

Endo
Morton

Elliott
Mac Allister
Gakpo

Nunez

Subs:

Jaros (GK)
van Dijk
Tsimikas
Jones
Nyoni
McConnell
Jota/Diaz
Chiesa
Danns

Injured:

Bradley
Konate

Rested:

Alisson
Alexander-Arnold
Gravenberch
Szoboszlai
Jones
Salah

Suspended:

Slot
Robertson

I reckon Endo will go into the back 4.

Interesting comment from Slot about potentially using a midfielder in the back line tomorrow.

Maybe Endo back there?

I think Endo may play at the back - he's done it before.
Jota has such a bad injury record - it's like he's made of china where the slightest knock chips a bit off him and he cracks
I know people have called Robbo fit to burn recently -God knows why - yes he maybe ain't as quick as he used to be but by God he's a warrior and doesn't collapse like a deck of cards every time the wind blows on him!

'Press Conference: Southampton vs Liverpool | Arne Slot previews Carabao Cup' - from LFC..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARcxG8W1ZHM



'Arne Slot's injury update on Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate and Kostas Tsimikas' - from LFC.tv...

www.liverpoolfc.com/news/arne-slots-injury-update-conor-bradley-ibrahima-konate-and-kostas-tsimikas




Arne Slot on his upcoming touchline ban: “I don’t know if this is smart to say but there is also a limit for me, let's put it that way, and then I can get emotional. And that, unfortunately, that limit is only reached by refereeing decisions and the decisions my players make. Because they [the players] make more good decisions than the referees do" (laughs)...

https://v.redd.it/jsdmrix8ge7e1 

^ from https://old.reddit.com/r/LiverpoolFC/comments/1hg97f1/arne_slot_on_his_upcoming_touchline_ban_i_dont




'Pre-Match Live: Southampton vs Liverpool FC | Carabao Cup build-up from St Mary's' - from LFC.tv; scheduled for Wednesday from 6.45pm...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkUFWCO5WzQ

Jota didn’t train so won’t be available

Why? Is he made of glass? I hope not.