Sadio Mane to return to the EPL
Sadio Mane playing for Liverpool

Liverpool were scheduled to play Manchester United in the Premier League last weekend but that game was called off meaning Jurgen Klopp’s side have gotten a lengthy break.

The refreshed Reds take on Southampton in the league this weekend and going into this encounter, the Anfield outfit are currently seventh on the league table – seven points behind the fourth spot(with a game in hand).

Liverpool still have a chance to finish in the top four but the way Chelsea are playing, the Blues are certainly the favourites to become the fourth side to enter the UCL next season. But Chelsea face Manchester City this weekend so there’s a big chance that Tuchel’s side will drop points.

And for Liverpool to take maximum advantage of this scenario they will have to pick up a win vs Southampton on the very same day. Klopp’s side go into this game having drawn their previous two league fixtures but the Saints are not in the best of forms either so it should be an easy win for the home side.

Liverpool team news vs Southampton:

Nat Phillips was actually named in Liverpool’s starting XI vs Manchester United last week so it seems the defender has shaken off his injury and will play alongside Ozan Kabak in central defence this weekend.

The return of Phillips allows Fabinho to return to his usual role in defensive midfield with Thiago and Wijnaldum playing a bit further up front.

Curtis Jones has also returned from injury and is in line to make a start. But given how important a win is for Liverpool right now, Klopp will resist any sort of rearrangements, until absolutely necessary.

Mo Salah is an automatic choice on the right wing since he’s the only in-form attacker right now at the club. But the manager will have to make a tough call regarding the other two spots.

Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have both been underwhelming this season while Diogo Jota has been in pretty great nick ever since returning from injury.

But still, we have a feeling Jurgen Klopp is not going to hand Jota a start this weekend since he has too much faith in both Sadio Mane and Firmino. Jota will be available from the bench though.

The likes of Joe Gomez, Van Dijk and Henderson all remain on the sidelines with lengthy injuries and are not expected to play any part this season.

Liverpool’s predicted line-up vs Southampton:

Predicted Starting Line-up: Alisson; Robertson, Kabak, Nat Phillips, Alexander-Arnold; Fabinho, Thiago, Wijnaldum; Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Mo Salah.

Liverpool predicted XI vs Southampton

Injury updates via Premier Injuries.

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