Liverpool has had a frustrating run of it over the course of the last several weeks. The team just hasn't had much in the way of success in the new year to date, and its first order of business this week is going to be figuring out how to overturn a 1-0 loss against Southampton in the first leg of the EFL Cup semifinal if it wants a serious chance at getting some silverware this year.
At 3 p.m. ET, tune into beIN Sports for live television coverage of this EFL Cup match on Wednesday, January 25, 2016, at Anfield.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Liverpool -200
Southampton +600
Draw +310
Over/Under 2.5
Odds Analysis
Scoring goals is a factor that has been a big problem for Liverpool in recent weeks, but Jurgen Klopp knows that his side is going to have to get something going offensively if it wants to reach the EFL Cup final this year. The team has to win this match and will very possibly have to win it by multiple goals to advance.
The Reds are set at -200 on the moneyline and are one-goal favorites on the Asian Handicap. This match is effectively a pick 'em to advance to the final at this point, though obviously, the Saints would be thrilled to just see 90 minutes tick off the clock without incident.
The total sits at 2.5 with -130 vig set on the over.
The First Leg
Both of these teams used a legitimate side to try to get into the EFL Cup Final in the first leg at St. Mary's, and it was perhaps a bit shocking to see the Saints take away a 1-0 victory. Nathan Redmond had the one goal in the match on a night when Liverpool certainly started on the front foot and was fortunate not to leave more than one goal behind heading back home. The Reds did have 68 percent of the possession for the match, but after falling behind 20 minutes into the match, it became clear that much of that possession was never amounting to anything. In fact, Liverpool only put two shots on target the entire game.
How They Got Here
Liverpool entered in the second round of this tournament and immediately had no issues whatsoever putting away Burton Albion 5-0 on the road. It was a good sign for the reserves used by Klopp, and the thought was that this generally youth-based squad could go on a nice run here in the secondary cup in England. The Reds then dismissed Derby County 3-0 away before coming home and dismissing Tottenham in the first truly serious match of this tournament which they played. They reached the semis by dismissing Leeds United 2-0. Daniel Sturridge has four goals to lead all scorers in this tournament, though teammate, Divock Origi is right behind with three goals.
Southampton actually got a bye into the third round of the EFL Cup because it finished in the Top 7 last year in the EPL. The team drew home to Crystal Palace in that first round, earning a 2-0 victory, and that was followed by a 1-0 victory over Sunderland. The Premier League struggles continued with an away draw against Arsenal, a match that was won 2-0 to get into the semis.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Southampton has played not just one, but two tremendous defensive matches against Liverpool this year, and that's clearly going to be the way this match plays out as well.
We get the feeling that the Reds are going to be in a heck of a lot of trouble. They've had tremendous issues against counterattacks over the course of the last several weeks, and if they allow even one strike in this one, they're going to need to net three times to win. Don't be shocked if the Saints find that one goal and celebrate their trip to the EFL Cup Final in Anfield.
EFL Cup Odds: Liverpool 1, Southampton 1
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