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Southampton’s EFL Cup Semi: 3 things to watch for

By Saul Garcia

Southampton crest (Photo by AMA/Corbis via Getty Images)
Southampton crest (Photo by AMA/Corbis via Getty Images) /
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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Maya Yoshida of Southampton and Adam Lallana of Liverpool during the EFL Cup semi-final first leg match between Southampton and Liverpool at St Mary’s Stadium on January 11, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Maya Yoshida of Southampton and Adam Lallana of Liverpool during the EFL Cup semi-final first leg match between Southampton and Liverpool at St Mary’s Stadium on January 11, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images) /

The semi finals of the EFL Cup is on January 25 and Southampton take a slight lead into the matchup of 1-0.

Saints’ midfielder James Ward-Prowse was quoted as saying that the Wednesday’s matchup is massive for the club. It is, plain and simple, as a final would do some good for the team looking to improve on last year’s Europa League Qualification.

The Saints look forward to going into Anfield and advance to the final of the EFL Cup. Nathan Redmond’s goal in the first leg being the only difference means the concentration must be on defending and exposing any spaces left by the Liverpool attack. An attack that features the top scorer in the cup, Daniel Sturridge.

So what are the three things we must look out for ahead of the tie:

Virgil van Dijk’s Availability

The center back suffered an injury over the weekend in the Premier League matchup versus Leicester City. An injury blow like that to such an important player will certainly impact the team’s performance.

Especially considering the departure of Fonte, van Dijk has had to be the new leader in the back. His appearance or not in the game could be the deciding factor in advancing to the final.

Cedric Soares Verticality

Cedric Soares played like a man possessed over the weekend in the victory over Leicester, earning an 8.4 score and a man of the match on whoscored.com. In this clash with Liverpool, his ability to get up the field and perform once there will be crucial if Southampton decide to play counter attacking based soccer. All he needs is one play to explode up the right and score or lead the charge to set up a goal.

Can Nathan Redmond Repeat First Leg Performance?

The first leg came down to Redmond’s goal. So his performance that game has to be duplicated for Southampton to advance. Him, combined with Soares on the right side of the pitch can cause headaches to Liverpool and Klopp. Speed will be important to beat them in a counter attacking effort.

Next: Josh Sims Signs New Contract

Injury Concerns: van Dijk, Davis

Predicted Lineup: 4-3-3

Forster

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Ward Prowse-Romeu-Hojbjerg

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