It's a third competition in as many games for Liverpool to tackle on Wednesday night. They face Southampton in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

While the Reds will be heavy favourites for the game, there are likely to be a number of changes for both sides at St Mary's. With a busy festive period to come Arne Slot will likely rotate his squad and given the sacking of Russell Martin by Saints over the weekend, a different approach will surely follow for the home side too.

Liverpool were 3-2 winners when the two teams met in the Premier League earlier this season, with Mohamed Salah on the scoresheet twice. Paul Gorst and Theo Squires will be in attendance to cover the contest for the ECHO - this is how they would line up the Reds.

READ MORE: Liverpool must keep an eye on new Premier League star - I don't think Harry Kane transfer happens

READ MORE: I know supporters weren't happy with my Liverpool transfer - I now want to repair those wounds

Paul Gorst

With so few defenders available to him and the hint that he will be forced to get creative with his team selection, it’s difficult to second-guess Arne Slot’s Liverpool side tonight.

Caoimhin Kelleher is certain to start but after that it becomes a guessing game. James Norris will likely have to get the nod at left-back in the absence of the unfit Kostas Tsimikas and the suspended Andy Robertson. Jarell Quansah can partner Joe Gomez in the centre and Wataru Endo starts in the unfamiliar role at right-back.

In midfield, Tyler Morton steps into the holding role and this is a good chance for Alexis Mac Allister to get some momentum after two weeks since his last performance, at Newcastle. Harvey Elliott can operate furthest forward in the No.10 role. He could use the game-time.

Up top, Federico Chiesa is thrust into the starting lineup just to give Mohamed Salah a rest more than anything, while Darwin Nunez leads the line. Cody Gakpo can start off the left, with Diogo Jota maybe adding some more minutes into his bank before Sunday’s trip to Tottenham.

My team (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Endo, Quansah, Gomez, Norris; Morton, Mac Allister; Chiesa, Elliott, Gakpo; Nunez

Theo Squires

I would probably offer you a different XI each time you asked me who should start for Liverpool tonight. The only thing we can say with any certainty is that there will be rotation, with it anyone’s guess how the back four actually lines up!

Caoimhin Kelleher returns in goal, as confirmed by Arne Slot, while Trent Alexander-Arnold can get a night off. Joe Gomez moves to right-back as a result, with Jarell Quansah in his favoured centre-back position.

Virgil van Dijk can start against his former club, and his experience will be vital alongside James Norris, who gets a first ever start for the club at left-back.

Alexis Mac Allister returns from suspension to partner Wataru Endo in midfield, while Harvey Elliott gets a first start of the season at number 10.

I’m itching to see Federico Chiesa in action, so he can play on the right, with Cody Gakpo keeping his place on the left. He loves a League Cup goal, so hopefully he adds to his tally against Southampton.

And with Diogo Jota only fit enough for a place on the bench, Darwin Nunez returns to lead the line. He got an assist as a substitute against Fulham, so fingers crossed he can build on that at St. Mary’s and help fire Liverpool towards another League Cup semi-final.

My team (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Gomez, Quansah, Van Dijk, Norris; Endo, Mac Allister; Chiesa, Elliott, Gakpo; Nunez