Southampton lineup vs. Liverpool: Predicted XI for Premier League clash as Lesley Ugochukwu returns

Southampton manager Ivan Juric will have Lesley Ugochukwu back at his disposal for Saturday's Premier League meeting with leaders Liverpool at Anfield.

The Chelsea loanee could not face his parent club in last week's 4-0 thumping, where James Bree and Kyle Walker-Peters both sustained fresh injuries.

However, only Bree will join Juan Larios (unspecified), Ryan Fraser (calf) and Ross Stewart (hamstring) on the sidelines, while Adam Lallana and Jan Bednarek have both been given the green light to return.

As well as Bednarek's anticipated comeback, Taylor Harwood-Bellis was fit enough to make a substitute appearance against Chelsea following an injury of his own, and the England international is now primed to return to the defensive bank of five.

Harwood-Bellis and Bednarek should operate centrally with Armel Bella-Kotchap in front of Aaron Ramsdale, while Walker-Peters should be fine to continue on the left-hand side over Welington and Ryan Manning.

Ugochukwu's availability could spell danger for Flynn Downes's place in the XI, even if he has now patched things up with Juric following his disagreement with the manager, as Will Smallbone is likely to be retained.

Mateus Fernandes and Kamaldeen Sulemena should also expect to do plenty of defensive dirty work, meaning that Paul Onuachu could cut an isolated figure up front at Anfield.

Southampton possible starting lineup: Ramsdale; Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Bella-Kotchap, Walker-Peters; Fernandes, Ugochukwu, Smallbone, Sulemana; Onuachu

> Click here to see how Liverpool could line up for this game