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Football

25th Jan 2017

More relief for Liverpool fans as Jurgen Klopp names starting XI for Southampton clash

He returns

Darragh Murphy

It’s all good news around Anfield today.

Wednesday morning brought news of Philippe Coutinho’s new five-year deal with Liverpool, welcome news for all Reds fans, while Jurgen Klopp has given supporters yet another reason to smile with his teamsheet for his side’s EFL Cup semi-final second leg at home to Southampton.

Liverpool are chasing a 1-0 deficit, having suffered defeat at St. Mary’s in the first leg a fortnight ago and cannot afford to concede an away goal to Claude Puel’s men.

So it will provide many a sigh of relief for fans to see arguably Liverpool’s most reliable defender in the back four for tonight’s clash.

Joel Matip, after an injury and a lengthy dispute involving the Cameroon Football Federation, Fifa and his club, has returned to Klopp’s defence.

Matip came on as a late substitute during Liverpool’s embarrassing home defeat to Swansea on Saturday but he will feature from the outset this evening as he lines out alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dejan Lovren and James Milner.

And this lot were certainly happy to see him back.