Following on from a stunning win over PSG in the Champions League in midweek, Liverpool will be looking to build on this victory when attentions are turned to the visit of Southampton at Anfield.
With the dramatic scenes at Parc des Princes still fresh in the memory, Arne Slot will be tasked with maintaining the Reds’ 13-point lead at the Premier League summit at the weekend. What promises to be a compelling return leg against PSG is set to come just three days following Saturday’s clash against the Saints.
Just ten games remain of the 2024-24 league campaign, with the Merseysiders in a strong position to earn a second title in five years. Their next opponents, meanwhile, have struggled upon their return to the top flight, with Ivan Juric’s outfit currently languishing at the bottom of the table.
Either way, there is no doubt that Reds boss Slot is treating Southampton with a great deal of respect ahead of their trip to Anfield. The Dutchman called on Kopites to generate a fervent atmosphere within the stadium this weekend, saying: “A week to look forward to for every Liverpool fan.
“I know the final is there and everybody is already talking to me about how the atmosphere will be on a Champions League night, but I truly hope that our fans will be loudest tomorrow – not in the final and not against PSG, but tomorrow,” he implored, despite being forced to watch the game from the stands amid his two-game touchline suspension.
“I have to convince my players that we play three finals, like I said now a few times. I’m hoping – and that’s why every time come up with the word ‘final’ – that I influence our fans a bit as well. I’m hoping they will not come into the stadium five minutes before the kick-off. I’m hoping the whole stadium is already completely filled half an hour before kick-off.”
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
With the second leg against PSG to come on Tuesday, Slot admitted that his starting XI against the Saints could consist of some changes to the side that lined up in France. He said: “Champions League If there was three, four, five days in between the last game and this one I would have probably started the same 11 again, even if there was only two days in between for the next one.
“Since there is only two days in between and we had to fight really hard and it’s not the first game after being out for three or four weeks, it’s probably the 50th game in three months – I don’t know how many.”
The former Feyenoord boss added: “You take that into account but you take the quality from the team you face, you take the form of the players, how fit they are, which players fit best together.”
How to watch Liverpool vs. Southampton
U.K.: Viewers in the U.K. will not be able to watch the match live, due to broadcasting restrictions for 3pm (GMT) kick-offs on a Saturday. However, one can tune into Matchday Live on LFCTV from 1.45pm GMT onwards, which will feature a live audio commentary of the clash and analysis before and after the game.
U.S.: Viewers in the U.S. can watch the game on Peacock, with the match set to kick-off at 10am ET.
