Liverpool host Southampton on Wednesday night (7.45pm kick-off) hoping to come from a goal down to reach a 13th League Cup final.

Jurgen Klopp’s men were dominated by the Saints in the first leg at St Mary’s two weeks ago, but Claude Puel’s side only have one Nathan Redmond goal to show for their efforts.

Thus, the Reds will feel confident of overturning the one-goal deficit at Anfield on Wednesday, but they’ll have to improve upon a poor start to 2017 to do that.

Klopp’s side have won just one of their five matches since the turn of the year, and lost their previous game 3-2 at home to struggling Swansea last weekend to fall ten points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Nonetheless, attentions will turn to the League Cup this week, while Klopp will also have one eye on the January transfer window, which shuts this time next week.

Many feel that Liverpool are short in some areas to sustain a title challenge, and have thus been linked with many high-profile players in a bid to improve the squad.

So, this is what Liverpool’s IDEAL XI could look like come February 1…

Simon Mignolet

Liverpool have had a few issues in the goalkeeping department this season, yet it looks like Simon Mignolet has the number one jersey for the foreseeable future.

The Belgian international started the season as the first choice, but Klopp brought Loris Karius in from Mainz in the summer, and backed his new recruit by selecting him ahead of Mignolet in the 5-1 win over Hull on September 24.

However, several mistakes from the young German forced Klopp to go with Mignolet against Middlesbrough last month, and since then the 28-year-old has been solid in between the sticks.

It’s unlikely Klopp will look for another shot-stopper this month and, based on how well Mignolet has done since being reinstated into the side, it’s an area he should feel comfortable with going into the second half of the season.

Nathaniel Clyne

Nathaniel Clyne returned to the Liverpool starting eleven against Swansea last weekend and, although it was far from his best display, he is still the number one right-back at Anfield.

The 25-year-old missed the Manchester United and Plymouth games due to a rib injury, but prior to that had played in every single one of the Reds’ Premier League matches, and done well in that time.

Although he has lost the England right-back spot to Kyle Walker in the last 12 months, Clyne is an excellent full-back who will push the Spurs man to be even better over the coming months.

Jonathan Tah

It’s no secret that Liverpool’s chief issue this season is their defence, so strengthening that area must be Klopp’s main priority this month.

And one man he may look to bring in is Bayer Leverkusen’s highly-rated centre-back Jonathan Tah.

The 20-year-old, who has already made his senior debut for Germany, made 45 appearances in all competitions for the club last term, and helped them to a sensational third place finish in the Bundesliga.

Tah has everything needed to be a world-class modern day defender, given he is excellent in the air and in the tackle, but he can also use the ball and is supremely comfortable with it at his feet.

Klopp has already raided the Bundesliga for defenders Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan, and recent reports suggest that he may do so again this month.

Tah has to be his number one target in the next week before the window shuts.

Joel Matip

There aren’t too many Liverpool defenders that have stood out this season, but Joel Matip is certainly one that has.

The Cameroon international moved to Anfield in the summer after agreeing a contract with the club last February, and immediately set about becoming Klopp’s number one choice centre-back.

The 25-year-old has made 12 Premier League starts this season and has been repeatedly praised for his efforts at the back, and it has been noticeable that the Reds have struggled a bit defensively in recent weeks in Matip’s absence, given the furore surrounding his eligibility due to the African Cup of Nations.

Nonetheless, when fit and available, Matip is the best centre-back at the club, and a partnership with Tah could help lay the foundations for a Liverpool title charge.

James Milner

Alberto Moreno’s woeful display away at Arsenal on the opening day left Klopp with a tricky decision to make – keep faith with Moreno, or play midfielder James Milner in that position.

And, based on Milner’s solid performances in that area, the Liverpool boss probably got it right.

The former England international has seamlessly taken to the left-back role this season, and deserved huge credit for how well he has adapted to it, and indeed thwarted many opposition attacks.

Klopp may look for a long-term left-back this month but, given how dependable Milner has been thus far, it’s probably not his most important issue.

Jordan Henderson

Jordan Henderson has had an excellent season in the heart of the Liverpool midfield, a season which has seen him score an unbelievable goal at Chelsea, and indeed captain his country for the first time.

The England midfielder wasn’t certain of a place in Klopp’s team when the German arrived at the club in 2015, but he has now become one of the first names on the teamsheet after several impressive displays in the middle of the park.

His stunning strike against Chelsea back in September was indicative of his growing confidence, which would have surely reached an all-time high when he captained England against Slovenia a month later.

The 26-year-old’s dynamism and tenacity is integral to Liverpool, and his form in the midfield will be key to what they go on to achieve this term.

Mahmoud Dahoud

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm82Jc2bvxE&t=322s

There have been signs that Liverpool’s high-intensity play at the start of the campaign is beginning to take its toll on some members of the squad, so Klopp may need more bodies in the middle of the park.

Thus, he could turn to Borussia Monchengladbach’s highly-rated youngster Mahmoud Dahoud this month.

The 21-year-old scored five goals and assisted a further nine as the club registered a fourth place finish in the Bundesliga last season, with Dahoud appearing 42 times in all competitions for the German outfit.

Dahoud, capped six times by Germany at Under-21 level, hasn’t quite hit those standards this time round, but he is still a hugely talented player who would add something to the Liverpool midfield, both in the present and indeed the future.

Reports last month suggested that Liverpool had placed a bid for the young midfielder, so Klopp clearly feels that he’s a player who is gettable this month, and one that can only benefit the Reds for years to come.

Adam Lallana

England midfielder Adam Lallana has become an integral player for both club and country after an impressive season at Liverpool.

The 28-year-old has scored seven goals and assisted seven more in 20 Premier League appearances this season, which means that he has been involved in more league goals than any other Liverpool player this term.

It’s not just his goal-scoring or creativity which has been first-class, as Lallana has helped Liverpool dominate the midfield this season with his relentless energy and ability to launch attacks.

The England star has also been excellent for his country this season, netting the winner against Slovakia, as well as scoring against Scotland and Spain, and this campaign has illustrated his importance to both club and country, where he’ll be a key player for many years to come.

Sadio Mane

There’s no surprise that Liverpool have lost some of their attacking intent and spark since Sadio Mane went to the African Cup of Nations earlier this month.

The 24-year-old is the club’s top-scorer this season with nine in all competitions, and a further four assists underpin his importance to the Liverpool frontline.

Mane struck up quite the relationship with Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho in the first half of the season, and Klopp will be hoping for a return to that when the Senegalese international returns from international duty in the coming weeks.

Philippe Coutinho

If there is one player that really makes Liverpool tick, it’s their Brazilian international Philippe Coutinho.

The 24-year-old has only just returned from an ankle injury he suffered back in November against Sunderland and, although he is clearly lacking a bit of match sharpness, it’s clear what the Reds were missing in his six weeks on the sidelines.

Prior to injury, Coutinho netted five goals and laid on another five in the Premier League to help Klopp’s men get to the summit of the division, and his creative spark and intelligence in the final third is what Liverpool really need to get out of their current slump.

Getting the 24-year-old back to match fitness is integral for the Reds over the coming weeks, as is staving off interest from Spanish giants Barcelona.

Andrea Belotti

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGCkHetQ1tk

With Daniel Sturridge’s future uncertain, Klopp may look for another striker to partner the likes of Coutinho, Mane, and Firmino in his front three.

And one man he should certainly take a look at is Torino’s Andrea Belotti, who has been one of the form strikers in Europe this season.

Having netted 12 goals in his first season in Turin last term, the 23-year-old has taken it up another level this season by scoring 16 times in just 21 games for the Italian outfit, including 14 in Serie A.

Only Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi has netted more in the league this season, and unsurprisingly Belotti’s stunning goal-scoring form has seen him attract interest across Europe.

One club reportedly keeping tabs on the forward is Liverpool, and he’d certainly fill the gap vacated by Sturridge should he move on.

Yet, regardless of whether Sturridge leaves, Belotti is a player Klopp should try and bring in within the next week to bolster Liverpool’s attacking ranks.