Merseyside | Liverpool looking for more Carabao Cup success

Liverpool v Southampton Preview

Liverpool will begin their quest for a record-extending 11th EFL Cup when they welcome Championship opponents Southampton to Merseyside.

Author | William G

Stadium | Anfield

The Kop before the recent Merseyside Derby

Liverpool’s recent form

They defeated local rivals Everton 2-1 on Saturday afternoon. Liverpool looked strong in the first half, but struggled to match the intensity of the Toffees after the interval.

Arne Slot acknowledged that his players were feeling the effects of fatigue following their Champions League clash on Wednesday, when they overcame Atletico Madrid 3-2 at Anfield.

They have been productive in the final third. They have scored 14 goals in six matches in 2025-26 across the Premier League and Champions League.

Speaking after the match, Christopher, a Liverpool fan, told us: "Good first half with slick passing and sharp movement. Everton played well in the second half, but the Reds maintained their shape and saw the game through. When we play fluidly for the full 95 minutes, watch out."

The Southampton perspective

The Saints have made a poor start to the Championship season under Will Still, with the head coach overseeing a 3-1 defeat to Hull City on Saturday.

Southampton sit just four points behind sixth-placed Coventry City, who hold the final promotion playoff place, but they face challenging fixtures against Middlesbrough and Sheffield United in their next two league games.

The visitors suffered two defeats to Liverpool in the Premier League in 2024-25, and a loss on Tuesday would mark their fifth consecutive defeat to the Reds.

Still's side arrive at Anfield having failed to win in five of their last six matches, losing twice and conceding eight goals. On the road, they have drawn two and won only once in their past four outings.

The Saints triumphed over Northampton in the earlier stages of the competition

Recent record in the competition for both sides.

They are hoping to go one better in the competition this season. The Reds claimed the EFL Cup in 2023-24, and they reached the 2024-25 final before suffering a 2-1 defeat against Newcastle United in March.

Their opponents reached the final back in 2017 where they lost 3-2 against Manchester United.