How Liverpool Will Line Up Against Southampton

Liverpool's last Premier League outing away to Swansea City was a clash of the old boys. Brendan Rodgers looked set to take three points from his former club, but ex-Liverpool trainee Jonjo Shelvey laid on Michu for the equaliser and the Reds had to settle for a 2-2 draw. 

That tie nevertheless keeps the side at the top of the table after four games, and confidence is sky high for Rodgers' men as they prepare for Southampton's visit on Saturday.

Will the manager keep things as they are, or are a few changes in store? The following could well be the first XI tasked with taking maximum points from the Saints and keeping Liverpool on top of the Premier League.   

Goalkeeper

There is little doubt over who will take the spot between the posts on Saturday afternoon. Belgium international Simon Mignolet was an interesting choice to replace Liverpool icon Jose Reina as first-choice keeper, but the former Sunderland man has so far repaid the faith shown in him. 

Three consecutive clean sheets helped the Reds to a perfect start to the Premier League, with Swansea the first team to put goals past the shot-stopper in the current season.

As he proved against Stoke with a penalty save in the last minute, Mignolet has the ability to win games from the back.  

Defence

At the back, things are a little more complex for Liverpool. Glen Johnson missed out against Swansea and injury is certain to keep the full-back on the sidelines again this Saturday. Daniel Agger is fighting to regain full fitness after a gymnasium accident, but at this point remains another doubt. 

The Danish powerhouse, if available, is a certainty to start in the middle against the skills of Pablo Osvaldo and Gaston Ramirez. If not, Liverpool may be better off picking the vast experience of Kolo Toure, avoiding the need to throw young Mamadou Sakho to the wolves. 

Possible starting back line

Wisdom, Agger/Toure, Skrtel, Enrique

Midfield

So far this season, Brendan Rodgers has remained faithful to the 4-2-3-1 system; utilising two mobile pivots with a trio of attacking midfielders ahead. Four games in, that tactic has undoubtedly yielded solid, if unspectacular results. 

News that Philippe Coutinho will be out for over a month (BBC) with a shoulder injury comes as a blow to the Reds. However, they should have enough strength in depth to cover for the Brazilian playmaker. Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva, needless to say, will not be moved as the dynamic duo in the middle. 

Further forward, Victor Moses made a scoring debut against Swansea and looks a good bet to add his pace to the Liverpool line. Spanish forward Iago Aspas could also be in contention for a starting spot, having replaced Coutinho last weekend.

Possible starting midfield

Gerrard, Lucas; Moses, Aspas, Henderson

Attack

There can only be one man for this job.

Daniel Sturridge has been in electric form at the start of 2013/14, becoming the first Liverpool player to score in the first four matches of a Premier League season. Three of those goals—75 percent of his team's total so far—yielded nine points in the opening three fixtures. 

The former Manchester City forward had a point to prove when he was drafted in to cover Luis Suarez after the Uruguayan's 10-match suspension.

Suarez can return to the field at the end of September, but even he could struggle to find a place back in the team if his replacement continues to find the net on such a regular basis. 

Possible Liverpool team vs. Southampton (4-2-3-1)

Mignolet

Wisdom, Skrtel, Agger/Toure, Enrique

Gerrard, Lucas

Moses, Aspas, Henderson

Sturridge