Liverpool vs Southampton

Liverpool’s dream of winning all three domestic titles continues at Anfield as they tackle second-tier Southampton in their FA Cup fifth-round tie.

Fresh off becoming the first club in English football history to win ten League Cup titles, Liverpool turn to their FA Cup commitments, keen to build on a 1-0 showpiece victory against Chelsea. Determined to win a historic quadruple in his swansong season at Anfield, manager Jurgen Klopp might have to experiment with his starting XI amidst a severe injury crisis. However, that shouldn’t deter the Reds from making it seven consecutive home wins against sub-par Southampton and, in turn, upholding their undefeated record at Anfield in 2023/24 (W19, D2). After winning their last six home outings on the spin despite failing to keep a clean sheet on each occasion, the hosts will be out to pick up another landslide FA Cup win, having demolished Norwich City 5-2 in the previous round.

Visiting Southampton couldn’t have imagined a worse moment to encounter one of the best-performing teams on the island as they make this journey on the back of consecutive 2-1 league defeats. Though their recent form can’t inspire much confidence, the Saints have at least earned a tag as entertainers, with four of their last five matches producing over 2.5 goals and both teams on the scoresheet. Russell Martin’s men have blown hot and cold on their recent travels, alternating between winning (2) and not (D1, L1) across their last four road trips. All that paints a bleak picture for Southampton ahead of their trip to Merseyside to take on a Liverpool side they’ve lost to in their last four FA Cup meetings. But it’s worth noting that this is their first such clash in the 21st century.