Southampton vs. Liverpool: Team News, Predicted Line-Ups, Live Stream, TV Info

Liverpool head to the south coast to face one of their biggest games of the season against fourth-placed Southampton this Sunday.

After three big games in three different competitions—Tottenham in the Premier League, Crystal Palace in the FA Cup and Besiktas in the Europa League—within the last 10 days, the games continue to arrive at pace for Brendan Rodgers' side.

Just two days' rest and recovery between the Besiktas game and such an important match in the challenge for a top-four finish is far from ideal.

The home side, meanwhile, have had 11 days' rest since their last game—a 0-0 draw with West Ham in the Premier League. Ronald Koeman's side will be fresh or perhaps a little rusty.

This corresponding fixture took place at Anfield on the opening day of the season and shortly following the moves of Southampton trio Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren to Merseyside. The latter two transfers left a sour taste in Saints' fans mouths. This match will see their first return to St. Mary's, adding further spice to an already key fixture for both sides.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Rodgers said it would be "a big step [towards finishing in the top four] for us to get a result [vs Southampton]."

Date: Sunday, 22 February

Time: 4.15 p.m. GMT/11:15 a.m. ET

Venue: St. Mary's Stadium, Southampton

TV Info: Sky Sports 1/NBCSN and NBC Sports Live Extra

Live Stream: Sky Sports 1 (UK only)  NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. only)

Predicted Formations

Raheem Sterling is back in contention for Liverpool and could replace Philippe Coutinho, who has started the last 18 games in a row and could benefit from a break. Alternatively, Rodgers could opt to replace Coutinho with Lazar Markovic, who was suspended for the Europa League tie against Besiktas.

Southampton are without centre-back Toby Alderweireld so Florin Gardos will partner Jose Fonte at the back, while key man Morgan Schneiderlin returns from injury in midfield alongside Victor Wanyama.

B/R

Form Lines (all competitions)

Southampton

Drew 0-0 vs. West Ham

Won 1-0 vs. QPR

Lost 1-0 vs. Swansea

Lost 3-2 vs. Crystal Palace (FA Cup)

Won 2-1 vs. Newcastle United

Liverpool

Won 1-0 vs. Besiktas (Europa League)

Won 2-1 vs. Crystal Palace (FA Cup)

Won 3-2 vs. Tottenham

Drew 0-0 vs. Everton

Won 2-1 vs. Bolton (FA Cup)

Player to watch

Southampton: Morgan Schneiderlin

Clive Mason/Getty Images

The French midfielder has been a vital part of Southampton's impressive form over the last two Premier League seasons. He is, ironically, the kind of player Liverpool could really benefit from having at their disposal, as explained by B/R's Jack Lusby: "Schneiderlin will be key to any Southampton success."

Liverpool: Adam Lallana

Clive Mason/Getty Images

Ahead of his return to the club he made more than 200 appearances for, Lallana has admitted he regrets the way in which his transfer from the Saints to Liverpool materialised in the summer.

"I'm not stupid enough to think the way I left didn't leave a sour taste in a few people's mouths," he told BBC Radio Solent (via The Telegraph).

Will he sink or swim on his return to Southampton? Will Rodgers opt to start him? It will be interesting to watch.

Key Battles

Midfield

With Schneiderlin back alongside Wanyama, Liverpool will really need to stop them dictating play. Should Sterling be back fit to start, that will be a huge positive for Liverpool, with him operating in behind Daniel Sturridge and alongside one of Coutinho, Lallana or Markovic.

Whoever Liverpool's two No.10 players are, facing the formidable Saints defensive midfielders will be one of the key battles of the game.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Coping with changes/Mario Balotelli

Liverpool have produced three wins in three different competitions in the last week and a half, each time with Mario Balotelli making a match-changing contribution from the bench. He scored the winner against Tottenham and Besiktas and was influential in their comeback against Crystal Palace.

How Southampton cope if/when Liverpool introduce Balotelli to partner Sturridge and possibly move Emre Can into midfield, as Rodgers has done increasingly often of late, could be key late on.

Odds (via Oddschecker)

Southampton win: 13/8

Draw: 12/5

Liverpool win: 21/10

Mario Balotelli FGS:  8/1

Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Liverpool

*Quotes obtained firsthand, unless otherwise stated.