Klopp tells Sturridge: Now I understand the hype around you!

“We know Liverpool likes to press and if you beat the press then you have a lot of options and possibilities”, the Southampton manager said.

“We want to win, it’s a hard game against Southampton, but to win [cups] it’s a cool thing!”

The Portuguese defender required stitches in the injury picked up in the defeat by Manchester City at the weekend.

Such is the paucity of the top flight this season that the top four is the very least Liverpool, re-energised and reinvigorated by Klopp’s sheer presence and approach, should be aiming for.

Anyway, at the risk of getting bogged down in all this happiness, one of them will be getting knocked out of the Capital One Cup on Wednesday night, thereby reducing their prospects of silverware by something close to half.

Real Madrid are prepared to go head-to-head with Barcelona for Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho in a transfer tussle.

A title challenge would be largely dependent on Sturridge putting a run of games together because he boasts the pedigree to score 15 goals plus between now and May.

Steven Caulker is set to start for Southampton in the quarter-final at home to Liverpool because of an injury to captain Jose Fonte.

At St Mary’s: Southampton – 19 wins, Draws – 10, Liverpool – 13 wins.

Under Klopp, Liverpool have risen to sixth in the Premier League standings and are within striking distance of a top four spot. I’m sure 120 minutes would be too much for both. Mignolet has kept five clean sheets in 14 league games this season.

Sadio Mane headed Southampton in front after 39 seconds, but Sturridge marked his first start since October 4 with a quick-fire brace and 20-year-old Belgian striker Origi claimed a treble as the visitors roared back, with substitute Jordon Ibe also on target.

Christian Benteke has scored in each of his last two games against Southampton.

The most recent League Cup fixture between the two clubs was back in November 2002 at Anfield, where the hosts clinched a 3-1 victory thanks to strikes from Patrik Berger, El Hadji Diouf and Milan Baros.