Mixed team news for Southampton as they prepare to face Liverpool

Southampton have had some mixed team news as they prepare to take on Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

Ralph Hasenhuttl and his side will be looking for a response to their disappointing loss at Norwich last weekend but will know the size of the task at hand when they travel to Anfield.

Liverpool have shown some scintillating form at times in this campaign but have dropped points themselves recently and will be taking on Saints after a tough Champions League tie with Porto on Wednesday.

Here is the team news from both camps, starting with good and bad news from the Southampton side.

Southampton welcome back Redmond/Stephens but will be without Armstrong

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon, Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed that Nathan Redmond and Moussa Djenepo would be available for selection.

Redmond missed the loss at Norwich after the birth of his son, whilst Djenepo is back after a minor injury.

Both players will be battling for a place back into the starting line-up that will be open with the absence of Stuart Armstrong, who is struggling with a calf injury.

Hasenhuttl also spoke on Jack Stephens’ return to training after his recovery from a longer term knee injury, although the centre-back will not be available for selection because of his lack of training time.

Liverpool will check on the fitness of midfielder Naby Keita ahead of hosting Southampton but will be without five important first-team players. Each of Roberto Firmino, Joe Gomez, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott are still recovering from their respective injury issues.

It will be intriguing to see the intent from Southampton at Anfield given that they have shown they can give the top-six a good game under Ralph Hasenhuttl’s management.

Jurgen Klopp has spoken about his side needing to be on form at the weekend with Saints being a team who “really go for it”, and both sides will be targeting a positive result in what could be a very open affair.