Liverpool seek Anfield inspiration in League Cup semi-final

Reds trail South Hampton 1-0, courtesy first leg strike from winger Nathan Redmond

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool's formidable home record was meant to provide the platform for a tilt at three trophies this season — but Saturday's surprise 3-2 Premier League defeat by Swansea spoiled that idea.

If Jurgen Klopp's team are to overcome Southampton at Anfield in the second leg of a League Cup semi-final on Wednesday and reach Wembley, their defending will have to improve significantly.

The shock of suffering their first defeat at Anfield in almost 12 months is still being felt by the club's supporters, with a run of just two points won from the last nine available damaging Liverpool's chances of landing a first English league title since 1990.

The visit of Premier League rivals Southampton -- who lead 1-0 from the first leg courtesy Nathan Redmond's goal -- will be followed by a home match against second-tier Wolves in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.

Klopp expects success in both ties; he also expects much better defending from a team who have conceded six goals in their last three league matches.

"We are not happy about the last results," said the Liverpool manager. "They are obviously not good enough. But I understand football in a different way.

“The final mistake in a game, sometimes it's the goalkeeper, sometimes it's the defender, sometimes it's somebody else, but most of the time, there are seven or eight players involved. That's the defending I'm talking about. Everybody's responsible for everything. We really have to do better."

Centre-back Joel Matip, a late substitute against Swansea, is in line for a start since December 11.

Southampton head to Anfield with renewed confidence, having ended a run of four straight league defeats with a 3-0 win over Premier League defending champions Leicester City last weekend.

"It's obviously a massive game for the club and we have to make sure that we're ready," said Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse. "We all spoke about how we want to play at Wembley and enjoy that, so we've got to make sure that we get there now."

Southampton's preparations haven't been helped by an injury to their star defender Virgil Van Dijk, the centre-back installed as team captain following the departure of Jose Fonte to West Ham.

"Van Dijk is having a scan and I am waiting for the results at the moment," said Southampton manager Puel. "It's not serious, but I don't know if he can participate in this game. We will see in the next days before the game."

Liverpool's bitter rivals Manchester United appear to have one foot in the final already after winning first leg of their semi-final against Hull City 2-0 at Old Trafford, thanks to strikes from Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini.

Relegation-threatened Hull saw their preparations overshadowed by the fractured skull suffered by midfielder Ryan Mason in a 2-0 loss to Premier League leaders Chelsea on Sunday.

Mason, who accidentally clashed heads with Chelsea defender Gary Cahill, was subsequently operated on in hospital but Hull said Monday he had talked to visitors following his surgery.

League Cup semi-final 2nd leg fixtures

Wednesday, January 25:

Liverpool (0) v Southampton (1)

Thursday, January 26:

Hull (0) v Manchester United (2)