Southampton’s discipline has been an issue this season, with the team averaging 3.40 yellow cards per game – one of the highest in the league.

They commit an average of 13.47 fouls per match, reflecting a physical style that frequently attracts the referee’s attention. Liverpool’s technical players, such as Luis Diaz (fouled 1.43 times per 90 in the league this season), Ryan Gravenberch (1.84) and Curtis Jones (1.69), who are adept at drawing fouls, will further test Southampton’s discipline.

Southampton’s defensive frailty has led to their opponents averaging 6.60 shots on target per game.

Facing a Liverpool team that averages 6.36 shots on target per match, Southampton’s goalkeeper is likely to be regularly tested.

Liverpool’s attacking prowess ensures a high volume of attempts, even against deep-lying defenses. In their previous Premier League match against Liverpool, Southampton’s goalkeeper made 8 saves, and given Liverpool’s 2.07 goals per game average.

Cody Gakpo has been a standout performer for Liverpool this season, delivering 4 goal contributions in the Premier League despite starting just 7 games. His impact has extended to the Champions League, where he has 3 goal contributions in 3 starts.

Gakpo seems to be a favourite in cup competitions, having started both of Liverpool’s League Cup matches so far, scoring 4 goals across those games. Against a struggling Southampton defence that concedes an average of 2.07 goals per game, taking Gakpo at evens to be directly involved in at least 1 appeals here.

While Liverpool are not typically a card-prone team, they are still averaging 2.21 cards per game, the dynamics of this match should also increase the likelihood of at least 2 cards.

Southampton commit an average of 13.47 fouls per game, which could draw Liverpool into retaliatory challenges.

Southampton’s physical approach, combined with the potential for frustration or counter-attacking scenarios, makes Liverpool to receive over 1.5 cards a strong possibility.

Liverpool average 6.36 shots on target per game.

Southampton’s defence allows opponents an average of 6.60 shots on target per match.

The Saints have conceded 5 or more shots on target in each of their last 5, and 11 when they hosted Liverpool last month.

Wataru Endo has primarily been a rotation player for Liverpool this season, with limited minutes in the Premier League and Champions League, making his broader stats harder to analyse.

However, he has featured prominently in the League Cup, starting both of Liverpool’s games in the competition so far. In those matches, he has averaged 2 fouls per game, showcasing his tendency to disrupt opposition play in midfield.

In this match, Endo is likely to face a Southampton midfield featuring Flynn Downes (1.93 fouls won per game in the league), Mateus Fernandes (1.57), and Tyler Dibling (3.20) – players known for their ability to draw fouls.