Arne Slott will have to make changes for the match he will miss, while many of Liverpool’s peripheral players will benefit at Southampton.
The Reds’ 2-2 draw with Fulham was particularly damaging, with Slot and Andy Robertson serving suspensions for the following game.
Neither the manager nor the starting left-back will take part in Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Southampton, with Slot restricted to the stands at St Mary’s.
Nonetheless, his influence will be felt before and during the game, especially in his team selection, where many changes are expected.
With Tottenham entering the Premier League in four days’ time, here are five players who could benefit from a rotation at Southampton.
james norris
With Robertson suspended and Kostas Tsimikas unlikely to feature in time, 21-year-old Norris will be next in line at left-back.
The academy staple spent last season on loan at Tranmere but has stayed at Liverpool this time around, spending most of his time with the U21s and recently breaking into the first team.
After spending the day in the Champions League clash with Girona, it is almost certain Norris will feature in the game against Southampton.
In doing so, he will make his first real senior appearance after featuring for the youth team in cup clashes with Aston Villa (2019) and Shrewsbury (2022) when Jurgen Klopp’s side were elsewhere.
Norris’ gritty and hard-working full-back play will make him a reliable option for Liverpool on the night.
Wataru Endo
There has been confusion recently over Slot’s use of Endo and the Japan captain has barely registered in the Premier League or Champions League.
However, he has started in each of the previous two rounds of the Carabao Cup and should start again in midweek.
Not only will it provide some much-needed rest for Ryan Gravenberch, who played a key role in Liverpool’s return from midfield to defense against Fulham, but it will also allow Endo to find his sharpness again.
With Norris and possibly 18-year-old centre-back Amara Nallo expected to succeed him in defense, Slot can rely on Endo’s experience to hold everything together.
“That’s what makes the team strong. Because people who come in don’t come in with the wrong attitude. They always have the right attitude,” the coach said recently.
Alexis Mac Allister
Fans can expect to see a number of fringe players at the St Mary’s stadium, but at least one of Slot’s first-choice starters will be called up.
Mac Allister has missed the last two games due to suspension following the 3-3 draw with Newcastle on 4 December. That means by Wednesday he will be sidelined for two weeks.
This means that a start in the quarter-finals will be useful for players who will resume their normal duties in the Premier League.
In many ways, this would be an ideal opportunity for Mac Allister to get back into rhythm during his enforced absence on holiday before watching out for Fulham.
And with Liverpool still aspiring to beat Southampton and reach the semi-finals, his presence will no doubt be key.
Tyler Morton
When it was revealed that Morton had picked up an injury during Liverpool’s trip to Girona, fans were left lamenting the unfortunate timing even further for the young midfielder.
Not only were there hopes that he could start the Champions League tie, but new injuries have cast doubt on whether he will be able to get a solid start alongside Endo in the Carabao Cup.
But despite not taking part in training again two days ago, Morton returned to the squad on Saturday’s match day against Fulham, sending a big signal that he will be ready in midweek.
Morton, who was denied a loan move to Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the transfer window, has played just six times so far this season, four of them for the U21s. And his only senior start came against Brighton in round four.
Morton is more than capable of stepping into Liverpool’s midfield for these lower-profile games, and that’s only fair considering the opportunities he was denied in the summer.
Federico Chiesa
“If he hasn’t played for five or six months, sometimes it’s difficult for the manager to give him the first time because you don’t know exactly what to expect.” Slot reflected on Chiesa’s return last week.
The Dutchman added: “The Southampton game could be a good moment for him to get some more playing time and then we will have a better idea of what to expect from him.”
It would not be surprising if Chiesa was selected to start for St Mary’s, considering he has already played an hour as a starter for the U21s earlier this month, a move that has confirmed there is little room for debate.
Liverpool’s only summer signing has been a long, slow process, but the belief remains that he can be a crucial cog in Slot’s attack after a necessary and delayed pre-season.
His next step to achieve that status will have to come against Southampton. Perhaps Mo Salah can finally get a break after nine successive starts.
Predicted Liverpool XI vs Southampton: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Kwansa, Gomez, Norris; Endo, Morton, Mac Allister; Elliott, Chiesa, Nunez
