Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has confirmed that five players definitely won’t feature in the Carabao Cup against Southampton on Tuesday evening.
The Reds host Saints in the third round, allowing for rotation after a gruelling recent schedule that included Saturday’s 2-1 win at home to Everton in the Premier League.
Speaking over the weekend, with quotes provided by This Is Anfield, Slot picked out five players who definitely won’t play a part at Anfield, including legendary Liverpool pair Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.
“The ones that played three times 90 [minutes] are Virgil, Ibou, Mo, Ryan and Dom – the ones that are used to this intensity and this level,” Slot said.
“And again they showed up really good. I can tell you now you won’t be seeing them on Tuesday.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool Under-21s boss Rob Page discussed a number of youngsters being involved with the first team against Saints, having not featured in Sunday’s 2-1 loss at home to Manchester United:
“Potentially, yeah. The first team’s schedule at the minute is intense, to say the least. So they’ve got off to an incredible start and we’re there to support them whenever we can. And if that is with one eye on Tuesday, then so be it. You know, we’ll see if there are any changes that need to be made. The manager will make that decision.
“But we’re there to support him and today there were a few players that needed to step up and it’s great. It’s great to see them, you know, over there training with the first team.”
How will Liverpool line-up against Southampton?
It would be a big surprise if Slot didn’t make huge changes to his Liverpool team on Tuesday, even though Alexander Isak could feature, in order to improve his match fitness.
Giorgi Mamaradashvili and Giovanni Leoni may make their Reds debuts, while experienced players such Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo and Federico Chiesa are likely to play.
Meanwhile, star youngster Rio Ngumoha is expected to come in for Cody Gakpo on the left flank, and Florian Wirtz could even be given more minutes, having started on the substitutes’ bench alongside Isak against Everton.
