Liverpool Vs outhampton Set for Carabao Cup Clash at Anfield

Published: 24 September 2025. The English Chronicle Desk

Liverpool return to cup action on Tuesday night when they welcome Southampton to Anfield in the third round of the Carabao Cup, a tie that offers the Premier League leaders both a chance to rotate their squad and to extend their perfect start to the 2025–26 season. For Southampton, who are enduring a difficult beginning to life in the Championship, the trip to Merseyside represents a daunting challenge, though one that could also provide an opportunity to restore belief among their supporters.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool side have so far looked unstoppable. Since taking over in the summer, the Dutch coach has guided the reigning Premier League champions to a flawless run of victories, combining resilience in tight games with flashes of attacking brilliance. Their most recent outings underline the team’s versatility: a narrow 2-1 win in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park over the weekend, followed just days after a thrilling 3-2 triumph against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Both matches demanded different qualities—patience and grit in the derby, attacking flair and composure in Europe—but Liverpool found solutions on each occasion, keeping their 100 per cent record intact.

By contrast, Southampton travel north in poor form, sitting 19th in the Championship table after six games. The Saints have managed just one win under their new manager Will Still, and a 3-1 defeat away to Hull City at the weekend only deepened concerns. With defensive frailties exposed and consistency lacking, their league struggles paint a bleak picture. Yet in cup football, surprises are never far away, and Still will hope his players can rise to the occasion, using the prestige of Anfield as motivation to deliver a performance that defies current form.

The match, scheduled for an 8pm BST kick-off, will be broadcast live in the United Kingdom. Viewers will be able to watch on free-to-air television via ITV1 and STV, with online coverage also available through ITVX. Sky Sports subscribers will have the option to follow the game on Sky Sports Main Event, where coverage begins at 7pm. For neutral fans, the encounter offers an intriguing contrast: one of England’s most in-form sides against a club fighting to rediscover its identity.

Much of the pre-match discussion has centred on the line-ups, with Arne Slot expected to rotate heavily. The Liverpool manager has made clear his intention to protect the core of his starting eleven, resting those who featured in both the Atletico Madrid and Everton matches. That means stars such as Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, and Ibrahima Konaté are all likely to be given the night off. Their absence will open the door for new signings and fringe players to stake their claim.

Among the most eagerly anticipated debuts is that of Giorgi Mamardashvili, the Georgian goalkeeper signed during the summer transfer window. Known for his shot-stopping and commanding presence, he is expected to start between the posts. Alongside him, young Italian centre-back Giovanni Leoni is also set to make his first competitive appearance. At the other end of the pitch, record signing Alexander Isak, who arrived for £125 million, is tipped to lead the line. The Swedish striker has yet to find the net for Liverpool, and this fixture could provide the perfect stage to open his account.

Rotation may not weaken Liverpool’s prospects as much as some suggest. In recent years, their squad depth has been the envy of English football, and Slot has shown faith in his wider roster. Players such as Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones, Jarell Quansah, and Cody Gakpo could feature, while academy prospects may also be handed minutes. The combination of senior professionals and emerging talent ensures that Liverpool will remain formidable, even without their established stars.

For Southampton, the challenge is clear. Manager Will Still has struggled to impose a consistent playing style since taking charge, and defensive fragility has been a recurring theme. Injuries have not helped his cause, with Welington, Joe Aribo, and Samuel Edozie all ruled out. However, the Saints do retain attacking options. Adam Armstrong, who found the net in their last outing, will push for a starting berth, while youngster Damion Downs offers pace and direct running up front. Still faces a balancing act: whether to field his strongest available eleven in search of an upset, or to preserve key players for their Championship campaign.

Historically, Liverpool and Southampton have met on numerous occasions in domestic cup competitions, and while the Reds have generally held the upper hand, the Saints have been capable of producing memorable performances. In the 2016–17 EFL Cup semi-final, Southampton famously beat Liverpool 2-0 on aggregate to reach the final at Wembley, a reminder that underdogs can prevail in this competition. That memory will serve as encouragement to their supporters, even if the odds are stacked against them.

For Liverpool, the Carabao Cup offers more than just silverware. It is a tournament that provides an opportunity to blood new signings, develop young players, and maintain momentum across competitions. Jurgen Klopp often treated the competition as a chance to rotate heavily, and Slot appears to be following a similar path, though with the added ambition of sustaining the winning mentality that has defined the early weeks of his tenure. Success breeds success, and even a third-round tie against a Championship side carries weight in building confidence across the squad.

From a tactical perspective, the game is likely to see Liverpool dominate possession, pressing high and looking to exploit Southampton’s defensive lapses. The Saints, in turn, may sit deep, relying on quick counterattacks through Armstrong and Downs. Set-pieces could be crucial, particularly if Southampton are to trouble a Liverpool defence featuring debutants. Much will depend on whether Still can organise his team to withstand prolonged spells without the ball while capitalising on the rare opportunities they create.

The atmosphere at Anfield will add another layer of difficulty for the visitors. Even on cup nights, the stadium retains its aura, and Liverpool supporters are likely to embrace the chance to see new faces in action. For Southampton’s travelling fans, the evening may be less about expectation and more about hope, though a competitive showing would be welcomed after a stuttering league campaign.

As the teams prepare, the broader picture for both clubs remains contrasting. Liverpool are setting the pace in the Premier League, showcasing the depth and quality that makes them favourites in multiple competitions. Southampton, meanwhile, are battling to regain stability in the Championship, where every point is vital in the fight to avoid a relegation struggle. This clash, therefore, represents different stakes: for Liverpool, continuity and progress; for Southampton, a chance to test themselves and perhaps spark an upturn in morale.

Cup football is often remembered for its surprises, but it also serves as a reflection of broader trends. Should Liverpool’s rotated side cruise to victory, it will confirm their squad strength and underline Slot’s seamless adaptation to English football. If Southampton can resist and even threaten an upset, it will provide Will Still with evidence that his project is beginning to take shape. Either way, Tuesday night promises a contest rich in storylines, even if the likely outcome appears heavily tilted in favour of the hosts.

At Anfield, Liverpool’s pursuit of another trophy resumes. For Southampton, the journey north is one of risk and opportunity, of struggle and hope. Ninety minutes will decide whether this becomes another chapter in Liverpool’s early-season dominance, or a rare night when cup magic turns the form book upside down.