Southampton vs Liverpool: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Liverpool will be huge favourites to advance against Southampton, and we are backing them to do so against their managerless opponents. Following their 2-2 draw with Fulham at home, the Reds are now 19 games unbeaten in all competitions, maintaining an impressive seven without defeat against Southampton. Liverpool have been first to score in six of the last seven meetings between the pair, with the Saints last tasting victory over their visitors in 2021.

Southampton are winless in their last six, with three consecutive losses heading into this game. They have also conceded five goals in two of their previous three domestic games. Their defensive woes can be simplified by the fact they have conceded first in each of their last six. Liverpool have averaged four goals per game in the Carabao Cup this season – Southampton 0-3 Liverpool

Southampton host Liverpool in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup, with a place in the final four at stake.

Date: 18/12/24

Kick-off time: 20:00

Venue: St Mary’s Stadium

It has been a miserable season so far for Southampton as they battle relegation, but they have enjoyed a welcome distraction in the League Cup. The Saints sit bottom of the Premier League table after 16 games, and have not won since early November. It was the second of two wins in a row, the first a 3-2 win over Stoke which booked their place in this phase of the competition. As a result of their recent 5-0 loss to Tottenham, they sacked manager Russell Martin.

They will host league leaders Liverpool, who have made a fantastic start under Arne Slot. They are top of both the Premier League and Champions League, though two consecutive draws in the league has seen their grip at the summit loosen. The visitors have lost just one game all season, and that came in mid-September at home to Nottingham Forest. A 3-2 win at Brighton in October set up this tie with Southampton.

The hosts will be huge underdogs in this game, due to their own struggles and the dominance of their opponents. However, they may take confidence from their meeting with Liverpool just three weeks ago. The Reds came out on top as 3-2 winners, but Southampton gave them a scare and should have come away with at least a point.

Should they threaten, it will likely come from Tyler Dibling, who has impressed this season, particularly in the matchup with the Reds. In the Carabao Cup, Cameron Archer has scored twice, adding to his two league goals. Slot could make some changes to his lineup with a busy Christmas period ahead, so Southampton could take advantage of the rotation.

Even with a changed side, Liverpool have the talent to cause plenty of damage. Mohamed Salah is the main man with 16 goals in all competitions. He has already scored twice against Southampton, and if he plays, will be a good bet to add to his tally against the Premier League’s second-worst defence. Cody Gakpo is the leading scorer in the Carabao Cup, with four goals across two games. The Saints have conceded 13 in their last three home games.

These two teams have met nine times since 2020 in all competitions. Unsurprisingly, Liverpool have been by far the superior side, with seven wins and one loss. The last time they faced off in the League Cup was in the semi-finals in 2017. Liverpool won both legs 1-0 to advance to the final.

Southampton vs Liverpool will be available to watch on Sky Sports Football.

Southampton

Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is nearing a return and could make his comeback in this game, however if he is unable to go, expect Alex McCarthy to deputise once more. Jack Stephens continues to serve a four-game suspension.

Liverpool

Andy Robertson will be out as he serves a one game suspension following his red card against Fulham. Kostas Tsimikas, Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate could be nearing returns but will miss this game through injury. Every other player should be available for selection.

Southampton

In their last five games, Southampton have drawn one and lost four. It has been a dreadful stretch for Southampton, which has resulted in the departure of Russell Martin. This run started with a home game against Liverpool, and they would have been disappointed not to have got at least a point. They lost 3-2, despite leading 2-1 following a Dominik Szoboszlai opener. Goals from Adam Armstrong and Mateus Fernandes put them ahead, but a Mohamed Salah brace won the game for Liverpool.

Their winless run continued at Brighton as they drew 1-1, though they came from behind with a Flynn Downes equaliser. Back home they hosted Chelsea, though were on the end of a heavy 5-1 defeat. The pair exchanged goals in the opening 11 minutes, before the visitors pulled ahead 3-1. A red card for Jack Stephens only made matters worse, as Chelsea went on to score two more late on.

A 1-0 loss at Aston Villa followed, with Jhon Duran scoring the first half winner. Last time out, they faced Tottenham at home. They lost 5-0, after falling 3-0 behind after 14 minutes. All five goals came in the first half as the Saints were dominated from start to finish.

Liverpool:

In their last five games, Liverpool have won three and drawn two. It has been a strong stretch for Liverpool as they continue their excellent season but have dropped points recently. This run started with Champions League action, where they took on Real Madrid in a heavyweight clash at Anfield. They beat the Spanish giants 2-0. Alexis Mac Allister gave the hosts the lead before Kylian Mbappe and Mohamed Salah missed a penalty each. Cody Gakpo gave them some breathing room late on.

They then faced another huge fixture with Man City. They won 2-0 with goals in either half from Gakpo and Salah. Their winning streak ended with a dramatic game at Newcastle, in which they drew 3-3. The hosts took the lead twice, but were pegged back on both occasions by Curtis Jones and Salah. Salah scored once more to give Liverpool their first lead, but Fabian Schar equalised at the death.

Attention shifted back to Europe against another Spanish opponent, as they travelled to Girona. The winning goal came from the penalty spot which was converted by Salah. Their latest game was a home fixture against Fulham. They drew 2-2 despite playing the majority of the game with 10 men. Andy Robertson was sent off shortly after Fulham took the lead, but Gakpo levelled the score shortly after the break. The visitors restored their lead through Rodrigo Muniz, though Liverpool salvaged a point late on thanks to a Diogo Jota strike.

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