Overview

• Liverpool confirmed 11 changes from the weekend, with Alexander Isak leading the line and first appearances for Giorgi Mamardashvili and Giovanni Leoni.
• Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Ibrahima Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai were left out as Arne Slot manages workload during a busy run.
• Curtis Jones, Wataru Endo and teenager Trey Nyoni started in midfield, with Rio Ngumoha and Federico Chiesa supporting Isak in attack.
• Southampton traveled to Anfield after winning one of their first six Championship games and losing 3-1 at Hull, with Will Still lamenting ‘gifted’ goals.
• EFL Rule 6.4 now permits a player to appear for up to two clubs in the competition under specific transfer-window conditions, enabling Fellows’ selection for this tie.