Southampton produced another excellent display to deservedly beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield on Wednesday and in turn reach the League Cup final.

The Saints led 1-0 from the first leg thanks to Nathan Redmond’s goal, and they once again produced a solid and energetic defensive performance to thwart Jurgen Klopp’s men at Anfield.

The only goal of the game came on the break when substitute Shane Long rifled home from just inside the box, sending the 3,500 Southampton fans who made the long trip up to Merseyside into raptures at the prospect of the club’s first major final since 2003, and only the second League Cup final in their history.

Claude Puel’s men will await the winners of the second semi-final between Hull and Manchester United this evening, but for now they turn their attentions to the FA Cup this weekend, where they host Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, whom they knocked out in the League Cup back in November.

Nonetheless, although things are going well for the Saints at the moment, they did suffer a few frustrating defeats over the festive period, and many feel that Puel needs to strengthen his squad in the winter window in an attempt to record a fourth successive top half finish in the Premier League.

And, having been linked with many players in recent weeks, here is what the IDEAL Southampton XI could look like come the end of the month…

Fraser Forster

Fraser Forster’s miraculous goal-line save in their win over Liverpool on Wednesday demonstrated how good a goalkeeper the 28-year-old is.

The former Celtic man initially made a bit of a mess of Emre Can’s effort, but he reacted stunningly to somehow claw the loose ball away from the goal, and thus keeping the scores at 0-0.

This is just one instance though of when the England international has been superb for Southampton and, although he hasn’t had a brilliant start to 2017, his heroics against Liverpool will surely make up for that.

Cedric Soares

Defender Cedric Soares has hugely impressed down the right-hand-side for Southampton since moving to St Mary’s in 2015.

The Portuguese international, who started for his country in their 1-0 victory over France in the final of the European Championships last year, joined from Sporting back in 2015, and went on to make 27 appearances in all competitions for Ronald Koeman’s side to usurp the right-back slot from Cuco Martina.

The 25-year-old has continued his fine form this term, appearing 18 times in all competitions to help the club to 11th in the Premier League, and indeed the final of the League Cup.

Virgil van Dijk

Following Jose Fonte’s departure to West Ham last week, it is absolutely imperative that Southampton keep hold of Virgil van Dijk over the coming days.

The Dutch international, who suffered a nasty-looking ankle injury against Leicester last weekend, has been in excellent form for the Saints this term, and is arguably one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League at present.

Thus, after keeping the likes of Sergio Aguero and Romelu Lukaku under wraps in league meetings with Manchester City and Everton, the 25-year-old has attracted interest from many top English clubs, with City, Liverpool, Everton, and Manchester United all having shown a reported interest in van Dijk.

However, Southampton cannot afford to lose their best defender, and so must rebuff any approach for the Dutchman between now and February 1.

Fabian Schar

Jose Fonte’s departure to West Ham could see Puel look to bring in another centre-back to partner Virgil van Dijk, and one he has reportedly been keeping tabs on is Hoffenheim’s Fabian Schar.

The 25-year-old has struggled for game time this season despite an excellent European Championships with Switzerland, where the defender helped his country to clean sheets against both Albania and France, before eventually succumbing to Poland on penalties in the last 16.

Nonetheless, Schar has played just six times for Hoffenheim this season, only four of which have been starts, and his substitute cameo in the weekend win at Augsburg was his first minutes on the pitch since November.

Clearly, the Swiss is out of favour at the Bundesliga side, and thus could be looking for a move this month – Southampton and West Brom have both been linked with the 25-year-old, who could be the perfect replacement for Fonte at St Mary’s.

Ryan Bertrand

27-year-old Ryan Bertrand is constantly developing into an excellent left-back following his permanent move to Southampton in 2015.

The former Chelsea man had a successful loan spell at St Mary’s the year previous, and eventually left Stamford Bridge after seeing first team opportunities hard to come by, despite appearing in the Champions League final in 2012.

Nonetheless, Bertrand has since gone to become a feature in the England squad, appearing eight times for his country in the last two years, and looks set to battle the likes of Danny Rose, Aaron Cresswell, and Luke Shaw for the left-back spot.

Oriol Romeu

One of Southampton’s unsung heroes in the middle of the park, Oriol Romeu once again put in a man-of-the-match performance in the win over Liverpool on Wednesday night.

The Spaniard does a brilliant job in marshalling the back four and giving them protection by breaking up opposition attacks, but he also has good vision to help feed the forward players from the middle.

He has been exceptional ever since he returned to England with Southampton in 2015, and will be a key player for the Saints for the remainder of the campaign, and indeed for many years to come.

James Ward-Prowse

James Ward-Prowse’s performances in recent weeks have been brilliant, and he deserves the opportunity of a sustained run in the first team.

The England Under-21 international has appeared in all seven of Southampton’s games in 2017, and netted a fine opener in a man-of-the-match display in the win over champions Leicester last weekend.

Puel clearly trusts the 22-year-old, hence his participation in both League Cup semi-final legs against Liverpool, and he’s a player who has genuine quality on the ball, especially from set pieces.

Ward-Prowse could be a key player for the Saints in the second half of the campaign.

Steven Davis

Norther Ireland captain Steven Davis is one of the most underrated midfielders in the Premier League.

The 32-year-old has been at Southampton since 2012 when he made the move south of the border from Rangers, and he has been a regular feature in the Saints team ever since, appearing in 135 of their 152 Premier League games in the four seasons preceding this one.

Davis was a key part of the side that beat Liverpool over two legs in the League Cup semi-final in the last few weeks, and his ability to keep things simple in the middle of the park, but also contribute both defensively and offensively, is of great benefit to manager Puel.

He’s the sort of player every manager wants in their side.

Dusan Tadic

Dusan Tadic hasn’t quite looked like the same player since coming back from an injury he sustained on international duty with Serbia, but a goal in the win over Leicester could spark an upturn in form.

The 28-year-old suffered a broken nose when he got kicked in the face by Wales’ Neil Taylor back in November, and didn’t return to action until the following month in the Saints’ win over Middlesbrough.

However, he hasn’t totally regained his place in Puel’s starting line-up, yet improved displays in recent weeks suggest that he could be beginning to get himself back to level we’ve seen in the past.

Tadic is a quality player who can make things happen for Southampton and, in Charlie Austin’s absence, they will need someone like him to step up and get the goals necessary in the second half of the campaign.

Nathan Redmond

Nathan Redmond has only scored four goals for the Saints this season, although he does appear to be improving in the more advanced role Puel plays him in.

The England Under-21 international, who has appeared 34 times for the juniors yet never for the seniors, has often been part of the front two or three Southampton have played with this season, but he’ll be hoping for more goals in the second half of the campaign.

Nonetheless, Redmond’s displays have certainly improved in recent weeks, as he is taking defenders on with his trickery and pace, and getting himself into good areas to either cross or shoot.

A few more goals and assists could spark quite the second half of the season for the 22-year-old.

Manolo Gabbiadini

Charlie Austin’s injury is a huge blow to Southampton, who now only have Shane Long and Jay Rodriguez as their striking options, albeit you can add Nathan Redmond to that list.

Nonetheless, Puel will likely want to try and bring another striker in before next Tuesday’s deadline, and one man he has been heavily linked with is Napoli’s Manolo Gabbiadini, whose career in Italy appears to be over.

The 25-year-old has made just seven starts in Serie A this season, the last of which coming at the start of December, and despite scoring five goals for the club this term, doesn’t appear to be any nearer a regular starting role.

Thus, Gabbiadini could leave Naples this month, and Southampton are reportedly interested in the striker, who has six caps for Italy.

The two clubs are in negotiations according to recent reports, and it’s a deal the Saints should try and get done quickly before interest from other clubs in Europe becomes concrete.