The 3 key battles as Liverpool host Southampton in the League Cup

Maya Yoshida v Philippe Coutinho

Philippe Coutinho’s recall to the starting line-up in the defeat against Swansea last weekend would have been a big boost to Liverpool, and to get 55 minutes under his belt will also be of delight to the Reds faithful.

It would suggest that, not only did Klopp not want to risk injury against the Swans, but that he also wants Coutinho to start against Southampton on Wednesday, and that could pose quite the problem for the Saints backline, most notably Maya Yoshida.

Virgil van Dijk sustained a nasty looking injury in the win over Leicester at the weekend, and with Jose Fonte having joined West Ham, Japanese international Yoshida looks set to be the senior centre-back against the Reds.

The 28-year-old is clearly a good defender, but probably not as good as either Fonte or van Dijk, so Coutinho will probably target his inferior pace and agility as a way of getting past the Saints backline.

If Yoshida can minimise Coutinho’s influence on proceedings, as well as take the lead in the Saints defence, he could well help lead the side to Wembley on Wednesday.