Liverpool team vs Southampton predicted as Luis Diaz and Alexis ...

Liverpool could move EIGHT points clear at the top of the Premier League table by beating Southampton today after Manchester City was hammered 4-0 at home by Tottenham.

Ahead of Arne Slot's team playing the Etihad side at Anfield next weekend, it simply needs to find a way of beating the Saints at St Mary's. The midweek Champions League clash with Real Madrid has become the least important fixture of the week, with Liverpool already in a strong position in Europe.

With Alisson Becker and Trent Alexander-Arnold still working their way back from injury, Caoimhin Kelleher will be in goal. Conor Bradlay is likely to deputize at right-back, though Joe Gomez would be another option.

Across the rest of the defense, Virgil van Dijk is likely to partner Ibrahima Konate. At left-back, there is a choice between Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas with either of those players viable here and neither likely to start all three games this week.

In the Liverpool midfield, Ryan Gravenberch should be at the base with Curtis Jones occupying one of the roles in front of him. Given Alexis Mac Allister has traveled back from playing in Argentina, it might make sense for him to be on the bench with Jones in the number eight position and Dominik Szoboszlai as the number 10.

Likewise, Luis Diaz has come back from playing twice for Colombia in South America and so Cody Gakpo would be the favorite to start down the left flank. Darwin Nunez came off early for Uruguay and without Diogo Jota, he is the other Liverpool number nine. Mohamed Salah is nailed on to play off the left.

Liverpool predicted team vs Southampton: Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo.