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2025-09-23 - Liverpool vs Southampton
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English League Cup Third Round
Tuesday 23rd September 2025 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Liverpool
In three of the last four seasons Liverpool have reached the Final of the League Cup, but they were not able to pick up the trophy last time out when losing 2-1 to Newcastle United. Alexander Isak scored the winning goal on the day, but he will likely be featuring for Liverpool in this Third Round Cup tie as another campaign begins.
The League Cup may be the lowest priority for the manager out of the four competitions entered, but Liverpool do have a squad capable of putting another solid run together. The opening to the title defence in the Premier League could not have gone better and the draw for this Third Round tie gives Liverpool a real opportunity to progress.
Liverpool have needed late goals to win a number of matches already this season, but they started well against Everton before hanging on for a 2-1 victory on Saturday to maintain the perfect start to the season. The Reds have won all 4 games played at Anfield in all competitions following the narrow victory in the Merseyside derby.
A number of the first team players will not be played according to Arne Slot, but there are options to make changes and keep a solid eleven on the field.
Southampton
The appointment of Will Still as manager of the club will have excited the fans considering the reputation that the Englishman built in France, but there is also a pressure to restore Southampton to the top flight immediately. The early form has been patchy to say the least and Southampton's board could become a little nervous if some positive consistency cannot be found.
A thumping loss at Hull City on Saturday has dropped Southampton to 19th place in the Championship table and they are only a point clear of the bottom three. This is a competitive Division and so Southampton are only 4 points behind the Play Off places, but the performances do need to improve. The Saints have won away League Cup ties at Northampton Town and Norwich City this season, but this is a significantly tougher test.
Southampton have won 1 of their last 6 games in all competitions, while the defeat at Hull City this past weekend is the second suffered in that run. That loss also ended a run of 4 unbeaten on their travels in all competitions.
The manager may choose to make some rotations to his starting eleven with important Championship fixtures to come.
Head to Head
Liverpool did the League double over Southampton last season and also beat The Saints in the League Cup.
The Reds will be looking for a ninth straight home win over Southampton in all competitions.
Prediction
There are going to be wholesale changes in the Liverpool squad, but talented players like Curtis Jones, Federico Chiesa and Alexander Isak can make the difference for the home team.
The Anfield crowd may not be as 'up for this match' as they would for others, including the Champions League game last week and the Merseyside derby this past weekend, but Liverpool have made it a habit of getting through the early Rounds of the League Cup.
Even with those changes, international footballers will be on the field representing the home team and they should have too much for Southampton.
Will Still's team were beaten handily at Hull City on Saturday and the manager may choose to make a number of changes that could leave Southampton vulnerable.
Recent visits to Liverpool have been hard work for Southampton who have conceded far too many goals in those matches.
It could take Liverpool a bit of time to warm up to the task with the changes made, but by the end of this fixture they should be comfortably making their way through to the Fourth Round.
The Pick :
Liverpool 3-0 Southampton
