How Liverpool could line up against Southampton

Liverpool have the chance to temporarily extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to 22 points this weekend when they welcome Southampton to Anfield on Saturday.

The Reds moved 19 points clear with a routine midweek win over West Ham United, a result which took them to 70 points from a possible 72 this season and 97 from the last 99 on offer in the top flight.

Only Liverpool themselves have picked up more points than Southampton over the last seven games, but the Saints will still be massive underdogs as the home side go in search of a 20th successive home league win.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Jurgen Klopp could line his side up for the contest.

Out: Nathaniel Clyne (knee) Doubtful: Sadio Mane (hamstring), Xherdan Shaqiri (calf), Adam Lallana (illness), Divock Origi (thigh), James Milner (thigh)

> Click here for Liverpool's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Liverpool will once again be without Sadio Mane for this match as the Senegalese winger misses out against his former club due to the hamstring injury he picked up against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Mane's absence could create a hole on the left side of attack, particularly after Divock Origi was forced off in the 69th minute of Wednesday's win over West Ham.

Klopp eased concerns over the Belgian after the match, insisting that it was just cramp, and so he is still seemingly the most likely man to complete the attacking trident with Xherdan Shaqiri sidelined and Adam Lallana having missed the last three games through illness.

Roberto Firmino will continue his search for his first Anfield goal of the season, but Mohamed Salah has had no such troubles - no player has scored more goals in front of their own fans in the Premier League this season than Salah's tally of 10.

Indeed, the Egyptian is only the second player to reach double figures for goals at Anfield in three consecutive Premier League seasons, following in the footsteps of Robbie Fowler from 1994-95 to 1996-97.

Salah also boasts a good record in this fixture, scoring five goals and creating another in five Premier League appearances against Southampton, including three goals in two games at Anfield.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be hopeful that his midweek goal is enough to earn him another start alongside fellow Southampton alumni Virgil van Dijk, while Liverpool's other former Saints include Dejan Lovren, Lallana, Clyne and Mane.

Fabinho continues to push for a starting role, but the form of Jordan Henderson in particular is currently keeping the Brazilian out of the side.