Liverpool have no fresh injury concerns as they look to re-establish their points cushion at the top of the Premier League table.
The champions have been leading the way since leapfrogging Tottenham in mid-December but back-to-back draws with West Brom and Newcastle have allowed Manchester United to pull level on points.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have been dogged by injuries this season but they were boosted at St James’ Park by the return of Xherdan Shaqiri, James Milner and Thiago Alcantara and the manager is hopeful of naming an unchanged squad for the trip to St Mary’s.
“I think of the 20 minutes, 12 round about were brilliant and then he felt the intensity, but that’s normal,” Klopp said of Thiago’s return from the bench. “He trained exactly twice with the team. There is still some physical work to do, still some rhythm to get.
“Shaq is back and that’s, by the way, the best news – the boys are back and, as far as I know in the moment, nobody got injured, which is a very important thing.
“That means we can probably go with the same squad to Southampton.”
With Joel Matip not expected to return until later in January, Fabinho is likely to continue in the centre of defence alongside either Nat Phillips or Rhys Williams.
While Southampton are winless in four, they look a formidable opponent this season and Klopp is therefore likely to pick as strong a team as possible with Friday’s FA Cup third round match against Aston Villa an opportunity to rest first-team regulars.
That means Alisson is likely to continue in goal with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson at full-back.
In midfield, youngster Curtis Jones has become a regular alongside captain Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum could come back in to replace Milner. Thiago is expected to be named on the bench as he completes his return to fitness.
Up front it would be a surprise if Klopp does not name his favoured trio of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
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