Premier League table-toppers Liverpool will aim to keep their treble dreams alive when they face Southampton this Wednesday in an EFL Cup quarter final clash.
Arne Slot's side come into this match on the back of a 2-2 draw against Fulham in the Premier League.
Southampton, on the other hand, will be under interim management for this clash, with Russell Martin sacked after the team copped an embarrassing 5-0 blow from Tottenham Hotspurs on Sunday night.
Talking about the head-to-head encounters between these two teams in the League Cup, The Reds have had a slight edge over the hosts, winning four, while Southampton claimed three victories.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Southampton vs. Liverpool live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this EFL Cup match in the U.S.:
TV channel: —
Live stream: Paramount+
This game is not available for live TV broadcast in the United States. Streaming options are available on Paramount+
What time does Southampton vs. Liverpool kick off?
This EFL Cup clash takes place at St. Mary's Stadium in Southampton, England, and kicks off on Wednesday, December 18 at 8:00 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across the U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Wed, Dec. 18 | 3:00 p.m. |
| Central Time | Wed, Dec. 18 | 2:00 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Wed, Dec. 18 | 1:00 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Wed, Dec. 18 | 12:00 p.m. |
Southampton vs. Liverpool lineups, team news
Rusk is expected to follow Martin's pattern of rotating players for EFL Cup games with the club's clear priority focused on fighting Premier League relegation.
Aaron Ramsdale could come back into the starting team, following a wrist injury, but Gavin Bazunu, Will Smallbone, Juan Larios, and Ross Stewart all remain out. Defender Jack Stephens serves the final game of a three-match suspension.
Southampton projected starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Ramsdale (GK) — Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Sugawara, Taylor — Aribo, Fernandes, Ugochukwu — Fraser, Amstrong, Archer.
Injured: Bazunu (Achilles), Stewart (calf), Smallbone (thigh), Larios (undisclosed).
Suspended: Stephens.
Meanwhile, Slot's main issue comes in defence, with Andy Robertson serving a one-game ban, and Ibrahima Konate, Kostas Tsimikas and Conor Bradley all injured.
Academy graduate James Norris could be drafted in at left-back with potential starts for Jarell Quansah and Diogo Jota.
Liverpool projected starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Kelleher (GK) — Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Norris — Mac Allister, Endo, Jones — Salah, Jota, Gakpo.
Injured: Tsimikas (ankle), Bradley (thigh), Konate (knee).
Suspended: Robertson
Southampton vs. Liverpool Prediction
The last time these two teams met in the EFL Cup was in 2017 when The Saints 1-0 win over the Reds.
Southampton, meanwhile, are going through a rough stretch, with five losses in their last six games. In their previous meeting in November, the Saints suffered a 3-2 defeat in a Premier League clash.
The recent form makes Liverpool hot favorites to win the game.
- Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Southampton
EFL Cup fixture schedule this week
All times ET
Wednesday, December 18
- Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace (2:30 p.m.)
- Newcastle vs. Brentford (2:45 p.m.)
- Southampton vs. Liverpool (3:00 p.m.)
Thursday, December 19
- Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester United (3:00 p.m.)
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