Team News: Dejan Lovren, Georginio Wijnaldum back for Liverpool

Dejan Lovren and Georginio Wijnaldum have returned to the Liverpool lineup for their visit to Southampton this afternoon.

There are just two changes from manager Jurgen Klopp as he looks to preserve the Reds' standing at the top of the Premier League and go 13 games unbeaten in all competitions.

Having overcome a virus, Lovren returns to the heart of defence alongside Joel Matip, Nathaniel Clyne and James Milner as Lucas Leiva drops down to the bench.

Adam Lallana misses out on the squad after suffering a groin injury during England's 2-2 draw with Spain in midweek, meaning a recall for Wijnaldum in the middle of the park alongside Jordan Henderson and Emre Can.

Philippe Coutinho was a doubt for the game after picking up a hamstring problem on international duty but is passed fit to feature in a front three with Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

For the hosts, Claude Puel makes three alterations to the side that suffered defeat at struggling Hull City before the two-week break.

Club-record signing Sofiane Boufal earns his first Premier League debut after returning to full fitness, joining Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the middle of the park as Jordy Clasie drops to the bench and Dusan Tadic misses out entirely after suffering a nose injury.

The other change comes in defence as Ryan Bertrand is passed fit to start at left-back ahead of Maya Yoshida.

Southampton: Forster; Soares, Van Dijk, Fonte, Bertrand; Davis, Romeu, Hojbjerg, Boufal; Austin, Redmond Subs: Taylor, Yoshida, Clasie, Long, Rodriguez, Martina, Reed

Liverpool: Karius; Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner; Henderson, Can, Wijnaldum; Coutinho, Mane, Firmino Subs: Mignolet, Moreno, Origi, Klavan, Sturridge, Grujic, Lucas

Keep up with all of the action direct from the south coast this afternoon with Sports Mole's live text commentary here.