Liverpool boss rules out five key players for the fixture
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed he will make significant changes to his team for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup third-round tie against Southampton.
Slot’s side beat Everton in the Merseyside derby at the weekend, after facing Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday and Burnley at Turf Moor the Sunday before.
“The ones that played three times 90 [minutes] are Virgil [Van Dijk], Ibou [Ibrahima Konate], Mo [Salah], Ryan [Gravenberch] and Dom [Dominik Szoboszlai],” said Slot.
“They are the ones used to this intensity and this level, and again, they showed up really good.
“I can tell you now you won’t be seeing them on Tuesday. If that’s any help for Southampton, then they already know.”
Liverpool are aiming to win the trophy for the third time in five years, after their victories in 2021-22 and 2023-24. They were defeated in the final last season by Newcastle, who secured their first domestic trophy in 70 years.
Slot said his side has the depth to compete on all fronts again this season.
“This is why the teams that are playing in Europe need a squad like this because you need to play so many games,” said Slot.
“It’s not an excuse and we have to accept it as it is, but we have had some issues with Alexander Isak not training for four months, [Alexis] Mac Allister missing a lot. I could go on and on.
“But the good thing is that I have the options to rotate throughout the week.”
