Debut for unprecedented strike partnership?
A home tie in the cup against Championship opposition seems as good a time as any to trial a front two of Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak.
Since Liverpool’s Community Shield defeat against Crystal Palace, they have set up with a lone striker, with Ekitike starting in all but one of their games, in which Isak led the line against Atletico Madrid.
Furthermore, in his press conference on Friday before the Merseyside derby, Slot reiterated how he sets up his side in a certain structure, the 4-3-3.
However, it may not be all doom and gloom for the Reds, as he also indicated the option of Ekitike drifting wide on the left-hand side, perhaps creating an opening in the lineup for Alexander Isak.
The Swede, signed for a British record transfer fee on deadline day, has been slowly building his fitness levels and has registered roughly 90 minutes thus far for Liverpool.
While this fixture often involves heavy rotation for regular starters, the Kop may get a glimpse of a potential strike partnership against the Saints if Slot is feeling adventurous.
Chiesa eyeing Carabao Cup dominance
Despite netting a dramatic late winner against Bournemouth, Federico Chiesa has once again been consigned to Liverpool’s bench.
While he can take solace that he has registered more Premier League appearances (and goals) than last season in the space of a month, a player of his quality will want to make his mark.
It was Cody Gakpo whose goals proved crucial in this competition, and Takumi Minamino before him, with the Reds reaching the Carabao Cup final three times in the past four seasons.
As Chiesa looks highly likely to start against Southampton, his skillset and experience point to a player who can truly lead the line in this competition for the record holders.
Defensive debutants spearheading major reshuffle
Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili will have some rather large boots to fill as he replaces the world’s best No. 2 Caoimhin Kelleher, now of Brentford.
Teenage centre back Giovanni Leoni is also likely to make his debut, as he will look to allay the fears of Liverpool fans after missing out on Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi on deadline day.
With the position of Joe Gomez not yet confirmed against the Saints, Wataru Endo could line up alongside Leoni, paving the way for Spaniard Stefan Bajcetic to potentially mark his Anfield return.
The Spaniard spent last season on loan at Las Palmas, where he gained valuable first-team minutes that earned him a place in Arne Slot’s squad this season.
The attributes displayed throughout his breakout season in the 2022/23 campaign suggest he could be viable cover for Ryan Gravenberch, who played far too many minutes last season.
It is clear that Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo have occupied utility roles for Liverpool this season, and so Bajcetic has an opportunity to become Gravenberch’s understudy in what is a specialist role.