Koeman confident Southampton can match Liverpool

However, Koeman is convinced Southampton, who have lost their last two games against Stoke and Manchester City, have the measure of the system before the Capital One Cup quarter-final.

The Portuguese was forced off during Saturday’s 3-1 Premier League defeat at Manchester City with cut on his knee that required stitches.

However, Koeman expects Fonte to be fit for the Premier League clash with Aston?illa on the weekend.

Dutchman Koeman said: “If the fans boo, it can become a disadvantage if it fires them up but it is all about the performance of the Liverpool player”.

Klopp has so far taken all cup competitions very seriously and his pre-match comments indicates that he is going to field his strongest possible side against Southampton, with Henderson, Sturridge and Coutinho all available.

‘It’s very important because Southampton only have two opportunities to win a title, the FA Cup and the League Cup. Liverpool are doing well with a new manager who gives a lot of energy to the team and the players.

Liverpool are now priced at odds of around 5/6 to qualify for the semi-finals at Southampton’s expense, so the enhanced odds price boost to 6/1 is naturally bound to tempt plenty of punters into a flutter before the game.

Much has been spoken about Klopp’s gegenpressing system, which he used with great success at Borussia Dortmund and has worked well during his short time at Anfield.

Christian Benteke is the player thrusted with the responsibility of heading the attack and the big Belgian is more than capable of making life hard for the makeshift Southampton central defence.

‘Only the future will tell if he is the right person, but it looks positive at the moment but football can change, ‘ he added.

Liverpool have won six of their last seven matches in all competitions.