League Cup preview and odds: Liverpool vs Southampton

Published on: 23/01/2017

League Cup preview and odds: Liverpool vs Southampton

January 25, 2016 19:45pm - Anfield, Liverpool

Referee: Martin Atkinson

League Cup - Semi-final, Second Leg

Liverpool will look to overturn a one-goal deficit and qualify for their third major final under Jurgen Klopp when they take on Southampton in the League Cup Semi-final Second Leg at Anfield on Wednesday night. The visitors themselves will be aiming for their first final since 2003.

Electric atmosphere expected at Anfield for decisive semi-final clash

Anfield tends to come alive when there is place in a major final at stake, just as Borussia Dortmund found out in the Europa League last season. However, the Liverpool fans will be expecting an improved performance from their players following Saturday`s disappointing defeat at home to Swansea City.

Jurgen Klopp has never been eliminated at the semi-final stage of a tournament and that should give the fans further confidence ahead of this clash. Last season, he led the Reds to the final in this event and followed it up with an appearance in the final of the Europa League. At Dortmund, he successfully guided his team to four finals.

The Merseyside club come into this game on the back of a poor spell of form, in which they have won just one of their last six matches in all competitions. That win came away from home against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup. In this season`s League Cup run, Klopp`s men have scored 12 goals and conceded just two.

Meanwhile, Southampton are enjoying a better run of form, having won three of their last four matches in all competitions. Their league form has not been so good, however, with four defeats in their last five, but they did beat Leicester City 3-0 at home last time out.

Away from home, Claude Puel`s men have won just two of their last 13 in all competitions, but they have won five of their last six on the road in the League Cup.

Team news

The home side are still without the injured group of Marko Grujic (tendon), Adam Bogdan (ACL) and Danny Ings (meniscus), while Sadio Mane is still away on international duty.

Meanwhile, the visitors will have to make do without Steven Davis (knock), Sofiane Boufal (knock), Charlie Austin (shoulder), Alex McCarthy (hamstring), Jake Hesketh (ankle), Matt Targett (hamstring) and Jeremy Pied (knee).

Recent form (League):

Liverpool: LWDLD

Southampton: WWLWD

Betting odds and tips

Southampton may have a one-goal advantage but Liverpool have the all-important home advantage in this crucial second leg. In addition, the Reds have plenty of prestige in this tournament and Klopp is a serial semi-final winner.

As a result, the Reds look well-prices at 10/11 to qualify.

You can back Liverpool to qualify at 10/11 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 23/01/2017

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (23/01/2017 17:17:47) but are subject to change.