Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

How Liverpool could line up against Southampton

sportsmole.co.uk, 26 May 2023, 14:37
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could hand starts to three departing players when his side take on already-relegated Southampton in a dead-rubber at St Mary's on the final day of the Premier League season.

The Reds head into Sunday's contest guaranteed to finish fifth having seen their slim top-four hopes officially ended by Manchester United's win over Chelsea on Thursday night, while their opponents Southampton will end the campaign bottom of the pile.

While in recent years Liverpool have been more used to taking the title race down to the final day, Sunday could now be an opportunity for Klopp to hand final starts for Roberto Firmino, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Firmino was given a memorable Anfield farewell last weekend, capping the occasion with an equalising goal, and he should lead the line for the 362nd appearance of his legendary Liverpool career, despite Darwin Nunez now being back in full training and available to feature.

Milner and Oxlade-Chamberlain are perhaps less likely to feature from the start, but both will be hoping that Klopp is in sentimental mood when he names his side.

The 37-year-old Milner would make a record-equalling 16th Premier League final-day appearance if he does play, not to mention his 332nd game for Liverpool, while Oxlade-Chamberlain could end his six-year Liverpool career at the home of his boyhood club.

Of the departing quartet, Naby Keita is the only one guaranteed not to be handed a final appearance as he remains out through injury, alongside Thiago Alcantara, Stefan Bajcetic and Calvin Ramsay.

Klopp also revealed in his pre-match press conference that Ibrahima Konate and Andrew Robertson are both doubts due to illness and a groin problem respectively, so both could miss out on this one too.

Mohamed Salah's reaction to Liverpool officially being ruled out of the Champions League may have raised a few eyebrows and certainly generated a few headlines, but he is expected to start again at the end of another productive season on a personal front.

The Egyptian has scored 30 goals and created 15 more in his 50 appearances across all competitions, while since the start of March he has been directly involved in 17 goals from 14 Premier League games - more than any other player in the division during that time.

Liverpool possible starting lineup: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Milner, Fabinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Firmino, Diaz

Top News

23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly stepped up their interest in signing Chelsea's Josh Acheampong, whose contract stand-off with the Blues is showing no signs of ending anytime soon. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Turkish Super Lig titans Galatasaray have supposedly emerged as shock contenders to prise Alisson Becker away from Liverpool next summer. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have supposedly added Paris Saint-Germain defender and former Ruben Amorim protege Nuno Mendes to their left-back shortlist for 2025. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have a psychological advantage in the title race and can truly stake their claim as favourites by capitalising on their rivals' weaknesses over the coming weeks in the Premier League, Reds expert David Lynch has argued. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk La Liga Barcelona were stunned on Saturday evening as Celta Vigo scored twice in the final exchanges of their contest to secure a point in a pulsating 2-2 draw at the Estadio Municipal de Balaidos. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides hoping to emerge from a rut will go head-to-head in the Turkish Super Lig when Trabzonspor host Adana Demirspor at Papara Park. 23 November 2024 talksport.com With the November international break in the rear-view mirror, the Premier League returned with a bang. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have set an unwanted losing record after suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday evening. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta used a unique building analogy to explain his plan for Ethan Nwaneri after the 17-year-old scored his first Premier League goal in Saturday's 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Chelsea may forcing themselves into the title race, but Troy Deeney believes a glaring issue 'is going to cost them' down the track. 23 November 2024 talksport.com A former Aston Villa captain is set to become an MLS manager this week. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City have lost their fifth consecutive game in all competitions after suffering a chastening 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening. 23 November 2024 talksport.com A 4-0 defeat to Tottenham wasn't what Pep Guardiola had in mind when it came to celebrating his new Manchester City contract. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Senior figures at Manchester United have allegedly concluded that Joshua Zirkzee 'is not good enough', with the club having 'serious doubts' when it comes to the Netherlands international. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Pep Guardiola has made unwanted history after Manchester City fell two goals behind after 20 minutes in their 4-0 defeat to Tottenham. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has hinted that Marcus Rashford will have an important role to play under him, with the Portuguese insisting that the attacker can play in all three positions in the final third of the field. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Manchester City's clash with Tottenham kicked off late after Rodri's Ballon d'Or presentation. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fenerbahce head coach Jose Mourinho has reportedly made contact with legendary forward Cristiano Ronaldo to discuss a possible move for the Al-Nassr star next year. 23 November 2024 talksport.com A frustrated Leicester City boss Steve Cooper confirmed he will write to the PGMOL after his side's 2-1 loss to Chelsea. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be bidding to make it successive victories in La Liga when they continue their 2024-25 campaign with a clash against newly-promoted Leganes on Sunday night. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Ethan Nwaneri became Arsenal's second youngest goalscorer in the Premier League in a dominant 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Joao Pedro was the star of the show as ten-man Brighton & Hove Albion recorded a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth in Saturday's Premier League contest at the Vitality Stadium. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Crystal Palace in Saturday afternoon's pulsating Premier League contest at Villa Park. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal snapped their four-game Premier League winless streak in Mikel Arteta's 250th match in charge of the club as they earned a comfortable 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford picked up their first Premier League away point of the season at the sixth attempt as the 10-man Bees held a wasteful Everton to a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has explained how he wants Enzo Fernandez to adapt his game to fit seamlessly into his preferred system. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made a total of three changes to his starting lineup for this evening's Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Portsmouth's trip to Blackburn was postponed less than four hours before kick-off on Saturday. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Sheffield United's Anel Ahmedhodzic was sent off after grabbing the throat of Coventry City forward Norman Bassette. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Ajax defender Devyne Rensch next summer, with the Netherlands international potentially being available on a free transfer.