Liverpool: This is the back four we want to see against Southampton
By David Gate
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 27: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool reacts during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion at Anfield on January 27, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 27: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool reacts during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion at Anfield on January 27, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/9cf4f5dd760e6d5091fe8c706b0a7ebce620e54122d427d137d651cbe9b20868.jpg)
Liverpool head to the south coast on Sunday to face the Saints in the Premier League. Here is the Liverpool back four we want to see against Southampton.
You may have forgotten that there is a game this week. As the inquests continue into last week’s penalty and diving controversies against Spurs, the upcoming Premier League fixture with Southampton has taken a back seat.
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However every game until the end of the season is a big game. There are just 12 games left of the Premier League season and the race for Champions League football is fierce. Manchester United have taken control of the second place spot as they are five point ahead of Liverpool who are in third.
While Chelsea look in disarray after losing 3-0 to Bournemouth and 4-1 to Watford they cannot be discounted. They have too much quality and experience to presume they will stay behind the Reds and fall behind Spurs. They are the Champions after all.
Tottenham themselves are very much in the mix of things after the 2-2 draw at Anfield keeps them only one point behind Chelsea and two points behind Liverpool. Every game matters and Jurgen Klopp will find it hard to rotate players even with Champions League football returning this week.
The heavy rotation of the Liverpool side over the last few months – particularly with the back four – makes it hard to predict what the manager will do. Yet we are going to pick a back four that will get the job done against Southampton.
The Porto game will be in everyone’s mind. But with Spurs and Arsenal squaring off on Saturday and Man Utd with a tricky away match against Rafa Benitez’ stubborn Newcastle side, Liverpool could get the jump on at least one of their rivals with a win at St. Mary’s stadium.