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Southampton: Confirmed Saints team news/predicted line-up vs Liverpool

By Marc Walker

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Danny Ings of Southampton celebrates with teammates Jannik Vestergaard and Stuart Armstrong after scoring his team's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Southampton at Villa Park on November 01, 2020 in Birmingham, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Danny Ings of Southampton celebrates with teammates Jannik Vestergaard and Stuart Armstrong after scoring his team's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Southampton at Villa Park on November 01, 2020 in Birmingham, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /
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Southampton make the trip to Liverpool on Saturday evening and will be looking to build on their spirited display against Leicester last time out.

Saints were dealt an early blow against the Foxes when Jannik Vestergaard was sent off inside 10 minutes, and this left 10 men to fight for the cause against an in-form side battling for Champions League qualification.

However, solid defending and a few quick breakaways saw them perform well in the circumstances and secure a 1-1 draw that took them one step further towards mathematical safety.

A trip to Anfield is always daunting, but a boost in confidence in the last week and an opponent that has not looked as dominant as last season could provide an opportunity for Saints to steal a result.

Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl of Southampton (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl of Southampton (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images) /

Vestergaard ban rescinded, Southampton without two regulars still

Saints confirmed on Wednesday that Jannik Vestergaard’s red card and subsequent one-game ban had been overturned on appeal, and the Dane will surely retain his place in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s starting line-up.

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In his pre-match press conference ahead of facing Liverpool, Hasenhuttl confirmed his side’s other team news as well as voicing his disappointment over the use of VAR last Friday evening.

The Austrian stated that both Danny Ings and Ryan Bertrand will remain out of this game after missing the clash with Leicester, whilst both Oriol Romeu and Michael Obafemi continue to build their fitness ahead of potential involvement in the latter stages of this season.

Last week, Hasenhuttl also suggested he would be switching goalkeepers Fraser Forster and Alex McCarthy to give them both chances to impress in the final five games.

Takumi Minamino will not be able to face his parent club this weekend, and Will Smallbone remains out with a long-term knee injury.

Liverpool will be hoping to see Joe Gomez and Jordan Henderson back in action in the coming weeks, although no potential return date has been set for either of them. Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Divock Origi and Caoimhin Kelleher also remain out.

Predicted Saints line-up

Fraser Forster; Kyle Walker-Peters, Jan Bednarek, Jannik Vestergaard, Mohammed Salisu; James Ward-Prowse, Stuart Armstrong; Theo Walcott, Nathan Tella; Che Adams, Nathan Redmond

Forster could be back in goal after a couple of appearances for Alex McCarthy, whilst Mohammed Salisu and Stuart Armstrong continue in positions that aren’t natural to them but where they have performed admirably in recent weeks.

After being sacrificed after the early red card last Friday, Nathan Tella should be given some good game time to showcase his talents once again.

Next. Ward-Prowse/Ings handed potential England boost. dark

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