Liverpool confirmed line-up v Southampton: Wijnaldum axed as Klopp seeks silverware
By Alex Stevens
Jurgen Klopp has fielded his strongest possible team as he goes in search of his first piece of silverware at Liverpool.
His team need to turn around a 1-0 loss suffered in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final at Southampton, and Klopp has called on all of his big guns to ensure that his side don’t let the fans down at Anfield.
Daniel Sturridge is back in, with Georginio Wijnaldum dropping to the bench, as Klopp makes four changes to the team that lost to Swansea.
Loris Karius comes back in as Liverpool’s regular cup keeper, with Simon Mignolet taking charge in the Premier League.
Joel Matip comes back in after making a very brief cameo appearance in the shock 3-2 loss to Swansea on Saturday. He replaces Ragnar Klavan and resumes his centre-back partnership with Dejan Lovren.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is the other change, coming in for Nathaniel Clyne on the right of defence.
The team news was announced on Liverpool’s official Twitter page.
Klopp will be desperate to land his first piece of silverware with the club and knows that he can take a huge step towards that tonight.
Their last trophy was the League Cup back in the 2011/12 season, when they played Cardiff City.
The match finished 2-2 and Liverpool eventually won 3-2 on penalties.
If they expected the final to be easier than it was then, they’ll be under no illusions this time round as they will probably play Manchester United in the final if they get past Southampton. Their rivals take a 2-0 lead into their semi-final second leg on Thursday night.
In other Liverpool transfer news, a reliable journalist believes Klopp will target this Bundesliga attacker in the summer.
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