Darwin Nunez makes his first Premier League start since Boxing Day as Liverpool host Southampton at Anfield for the chance to go 16 points clear at the top.

Nunez's last start in the league came on December 26 when Leicester City were beaten 3-1 but Cody Gakpo is not involved as he continues to nurse an ankle injury. Luis Diaz keeps his place on the left as a result with Slot expected to deliver an udpdate on Gakpo's prospects of a return next week.

Nunez is one of three changes on the day by Arne Slot is Kostas Tsimikas comes into the team and Andy Robertson drops to the substitutes' bench with the Reds next in action on Tuesday evening when they entertain Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their last-16 tie in the Champions League.

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Curtis Jones is recalling after an impressive cameo off the bench in Paris and he starts alongside Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch as Alexis Mac Allister is rested ahead of a week that also includes the Carabao Cup final with Newcastle United in eight days.

Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate all keep their place alongside captain Virgil van Dijk at the back with Jarell Quansah in reserve for Slot's leaders.

Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa are included as part of the subs with James McConnell, Wataru Endo and Wednesday's match-winner, Harvey Elliott, all available as midfield cover.

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Nunez.

Subs: Kelleher, Endo, Mac Allister, Chiesa, Elliott, Jota, Robertson, McConnell, Quansah.