Fresh off their Carabao Cup final victory over Chelsea, Liverpool enters this match buoyed by the triumph and the emotional lift of securing a trophy in what is announced as Jurgen Klopp's final season with the club.
Anfield is set to host an intriguing FA Cup fifth-round clash between Premier League leaders Liverpool and Championship side Southampton, currently in fourth place and pushing for promotion.
The grueling 120-minute battle against Chelsea showcased Liverpool's resilience and depth, overcoming a spate of injuries to clinch the win through a Virgil Van Dijk goal from a corner.
Matchday at Anfield 🏟️We take on Southampton in the fifth round of the #EmiratesFACup 👊🔴#LIVSOU | #WalkOn pic.twitter.com/BWyUVMB6Om— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 28, 2024
Matchday at Anfield 🏟️We take on Southampton in the fifth round of the #EmiratesFACup 👊🔴#LIVSOU | #WalkOn pic.twitter.com/BWyUVMB6Om
This victory not only cements Anfield's reputation as a fortress this season, with the Reds winning all six home games across competitions, but also highlights their prolific scoring rate, averaging 2.5 goals per game.
Southampton, under the stewardship of Russell Martin, arrives at Anfield with their own aspirations, having stabilized their performances recently despite suffering two home defeats.
Their convincing 3-0 replay win against Watford in the previous round of the FA Cup demonstrated their potential and ambition to make a significant cup run alongside their Championship campaign.
Liverpool's FA Cup journey has been marked by offensive prowess, with the team scoring an average of 3.50 goals in their matches in the competition. Southampton's recent fixtures, too, have been high-scoring affairs, with over 2.5 goals recorded in five of their last six games in all competitions.
Liverpool faces significant selection challenges, with a host of key players such as Thiago, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, and Mohamed Salah among others sidelined due to injuries, putting their depth to the test. Southampton's concerns are comparatively minor, with Juan Larios and Ross Stewart the notable absentees for the upcoming match.
As the two sides prepare to face off, Liverpool is favored to continue their FA Cup journey, capitalizing on their formidable home record and attacking flair.
Forebet anticipates a high-scoring encounter, with Liverpool expected to secure their passage to the next round, adding another chapter to their impressive season under Klopp's final tenure.