EFL Cup: Southampton v Liverpool preview

2014, Germany, World Cup winners

Philippe Coutinho is set to return for Liverpool when they face Southampton in their EFL Cup semi-final first leg at St Mary's on Wednesday.

The Brazil midfielder only returned to full training on Saturday after suffering an ankle injury against Sunderland in November, but Jurgen Klopp has confirmed his availability. 

Southampton, who will be without captain Jose Fonte and injured attacker Sofiane Boufal, have reached the last four of the League Cup for the first time since 1987.

But they have won just twice since the start of December, while Klopp's Liverpool are on a seven-match unbeaten run stretching back to their 4-3 defeat at Bournemouth.

The Reds boss rested many of his first-team players for their FA Cup draw at home to Plymouth and may shuffle his pack again on Wednesday with Liverpool set to travel to Manchester United on Nissan Super Sunday.

Claude Puel does not intend to include Fonte, who put in a transfer request last week, until after the transfer window closes and Boufal has pulled out of playing in the African Nations Cup due to a knee injury.

Charlie Austin (shoulder), Matt Targett (hamstring), Cedric Soares (head) and Alex McCarthy (hamstring) all remain sidelined.

Coutinho is set to make his return after nearly seven weeks out with ankle ligament damage but is likely to be on the bench, while Loris Karius should continue in goal following his clean sheet against Plymouth.

Jordan Henderson (heel) will not resume full training until Thursday but centre-back Joel Matip (ankle) could make the squad as he seeks to prove his fitness ahead of Sunday's trip to United.