Southampton, Liverpool & Man City discussed in Premier League Daily podcast

On the last five occasions Liverpool have played the away leg of a League Cup last-four tie first, they have progressed to the final – doing so in 2016, 2012, 2003, 2001 and against Southampton in 1987. I mentioned Can being in the team alongside Henderson and he can only play holding midfield.

A small squad have suffered a number of injuries and, with Tuesday’s visit of Premier League leaders Chelsea concluding a run of 10 matches in 32 days, fatigue is undeniably an issue.

Klopp has been tantalizingly close to adding his first trophy to Liverpool’s trophy case, but has yet to do it.

Even Plymouth in the FA Cup were more of an obstacle than they needed to be, though a side full of youngsters had the quite reasonable excuse of inexperience across two matches, eventually won 1-0 in a replay at Home Park.

However, Liverpool boss Klopp was not left at all happy with the officials following the game as he felt that the Reds were denied a clear penalty when Roberto Firmino’s overhead kick struck Shane Long’s arm.

“We are a good football-playing side”.

The most risky chance of the first half came after Liverpool were left exposed, following an unsuccessful attack with Saints on the counter.

While they only controlled 27 per cent of possession, the Saints managed seven shots at goal including outstanding chances for Dusan Tadic and Steven Davis in the first-half.

He acknowledged that “creating these big chances is really difficult” against a Southampton team that plays so well defensively, but said they “did it” and that they “all know” they “usually score in situations like this”. “Maybe we need to score a few more goals, but still we have an advantage”. In the build-up, Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum summed up our recent woes perfectly by saying that teams “know how to make it hard for us” and the Dutchman is absolutely right.

United leads 2-0 after the first leg.

Their opponents Nottingham Forest are having a torrid time both on and off the field, however there are signs of recovery following their 1-0 win over Bristol City last weekend.

Liverpool will have to sort out a strategy to deal with the Englishmen as if he plays as well as he did previously then he will certainly push them.