Liverpool XI vs Southampton: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Carabao Cup

The night at Anfield is never ordinary, no matter the competition, no matter the opponent, no matter the stage. Tuesday evening under the lights promises another chapter in Liverpool’s long and complicated love story with the Carabao Cup. It is not the Champions League, it is not the Premier League, it is not even the FA Cup that carries centuries of weight, but for Liverpool fans it is still a competition that gives hope, that gives young players a platform, and that gives the supporters another chance to see their beloved team in action. And this Tuesday, when Southampton arrive at Anfield, all eyes will be on Arne Slot, the man now trusted to carry forward the legacy of this football club. The Dutchman is expected to name a much-changed team, one that reflects the balance between protecting his biggest stars and giving opportunities to those waiting in the shadows for their chance to shine.

The headlines before this match are already clear. The likes of Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Mohamed Salah, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai will be rested. These are the heavyweights, the giants of the squad, the players who decide games in the Premier League and on European nights. Slot has chosen to protect them after the emotional and exhausting 2-1 victory over Everton in the Merseyside derby on Saturday. It was a game that demanded everything, a battle of pride, of history, of noise, and Liverpool came through with the win. Now, just days later, Slot knows he cannot push these men again. The Carabao Cup, while important, is also the perfect stage for rotation.

That rotation means Anfield could witness something new and refreshing. The spotlight may shine on Alexander Isak, Liverpool’s new £125million signing, the man who arrived after a saga that lasted most of the summer. The Swedish striker, signed from Newcastle in a record-breaking deal, has yet to fully establish himself in the red shirt, but this could be the night he steps forward. With Hugo Ekitike likely to make way, Isak is expected to lead the line. Slot wants him to gain minutes, to find rhythm, to feel the chemistry with his teammates. Every great Liverpool striker has had his moment under the lights at Anfield, and Isak will be desperate for this to be his.

The Carabao Cup has always been the platform for the youth, and Slot has shown since pre-season that he is not afraid to throw young players into the fire. Giovanni Leoni, just 18 years old, is one of those players. The Italian centre-half, signed from Parma on deadline day for £26m, is a teenager with enormous potential, and this could be his introduction to the Anfield crowd. Imagine the feeling for him, stepping out onto the famous pitch, walking under the roar of the Kop, hearing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” echo in his ears. For players like Leoni, this is the moment when dreams meet reality.

There are others too, waiting for their chance. Jeremie Frimpong is expected to feature at right-back. After injury setbacks, the Dutch full-back is ready to show why he was brought in, why so many fans were excited when Liverpool added him to the squad. His energy, his speed, his attacking threat down the flank could light up this contest. Between the sticks, there will be another change. Giorgi Mamardashvili, the Georgian goalkeeper who arrived this summer, is set to make his first start. Every Liverpool goalkeeper has felt the weight of the jersey, and Mamardashvili will know that every save, every touch, every shout is being judged by the Anfield faithful.

Among the attackers, the name Rio Ngumoha stands out. Only 17, already making waves, already proving that youth can carry courage. He scored the winner last month in dramatic fashion, and his rise has been rewarded with first-team inclusion ever since. Now he is pushing for a start. There is excitement around him, the kind of excitement that comes when the academy produces someone special. Liverpool’s academy at Kirkby has been a source of pride for years, and Ngumoha’s story is the latest chapter. If he gets his chance on Tuesday, fans will be watching closely, hoping to see glimpses of another star in the making.

For other senior players, this is a chance to remind Slot that they can still make a difference. Curtis Jones, Joe Gomez, Federico Chiesa — all three have seen limited minutes this season. Jones is Liverpool through and through, a Scouser who knows what it means to wear the badge. Gomez is one of the last survivors of the Klopp era, a player whose versatility and loyalty have always been his strongest weapons. Chiesa, signed to bring flair and creativity, has not yet shown the full extent of his talent in red. The Carabao Cup is often labelled a “secondary” competition, but for these men it can be the difference between a season on the bench and a season of contribution.

In midfield, the experienced Wataru Endo is set to start. The Japanese international is trusted for his calmness, his ability to hold the ball, to protect the defence, and to allow others to push forward. Alongside him, youngsters like Trey Nyoni and Jayden Danns could be handed significant minutes. Both were given a taste of first-team football during pre-season, and Slot may decide that now is the time to test them under competitive pressure. Liverpool fans always love to see academy graduates on the pitch, and if Nyoni or Danns step out, there will be pride swelling in the stands.

The predicted lineup tells its own story: Mamardashvili in goal, Frimpong at right-back, Gomez and Leoni in the heart of defence, Andy Robertson at left-back providing the experienced balance, Nyoni, Jones and Endo forming the midfield, Chiesa and Ngumoha out wide, and Isak leading the attack. It is a team that mixes youth and experience, risk and security, freshness and leadership. It is the kind of lineup that shows Slot’s courage, his willingness to trust the next generation while still keeping some senior figures on the pitch.

Liverpool sit top of the Premier League, their confidence is high, and the Anfield crowd is buzzing again after the Merseyside derby victory. That gives Slot even more reason to rotate. He knows that this squad is deep, he knows that the academy is full of talent, and he knows that every player needs to feel involved. A manager’s job is not only to win matches, it is to build a squad where every individual feels valued. Tuesday night is part of that process.

The match itself will not be easy. Southampton are no strangers to causing upsets. They have a proud tradition of developing young players themselves, and they always seem to raise their game against Liverpool. But this is Anfield, and Anfield on a cup night has its own magic. The floodlights, the noise, the history, all of it combines to create an atmosphere that suffocates opponents. For the young Liverpool players making their debuts or early appearances, this could be the beginning of something unforgettable. For the senior players returning to action, this could be the night to remind everyone of their importance.

For the fans, it is a chance to dream again. They know that every great Liverpool era has been defined not just by the stars, but by the youngsters who took their chance when it arrived. Trent Alexander-Arnold was once a teenager thrown into cup games, and now he is one of the world’s best. Steven Gerrard himself was once the young lad given a chance in midfield. The supporters will arrive at Anfield on Tuesday hoping to witness the first steps of the next big story.

The kick-off is set for 8pm BST, under the lights, with ITV and Sky Sports showing the game live. But for those lucky enough to be inside Anfield, the television cameras will never capture the true emotion of the night. The banners will wave, the songs will echo, the belief will flow through the stands. This is Liverpool. This is the Carabao Cup. This is the beginning of another story. And for Arne Slot, this is another test of his ability to manage, to balance, to lead.

When the teams are confirmed, when the young names appear alongside the old, there will be excitement, there will be nerves, there will be hope. For Liverpool supporters, nothing else matters. Whether it is Salah or Isak, Van Dijk or Leoni, Robertson or Ngumoha, once the whistle blows, they are all Liverpool. They are all part of the same dream. And that is why this match, this simple Carabao Cup tie, carries the weight of Anfield’s history.