Liverpool will be hoping to grab a valuable win against Southampton and consolidate their lead at the top of the Premier League this weekend.

The Reds are unbeaten in nine games and grabbed top spot after an impressive 6-1 victory over Watford.

They may find things more difficult when they travel to St Mary's, with Claude Puel's side eager to bounce back after a shock 2-1 loss to Hull a fortnight ago.

The Saints are currently tenth in the league, having failed to win in three, but should have a fully-fit defence as they welcome Cedric Soares back into the fold.

The Saints haven't picked up a clean sheet since the Portuguese was injured on international duty a month ago but claimed three in a row with him in the side.

Jurgen Klopp may have a harder time winning than people expect, with Adam Lallana definitely out and Philippe Coutinho a doubt.

The two have been key to Liverpool's great form and it will be interesting to see how the Reds cope without them. Here is the starting XI we think Klopp should pick to secure victory over the Saints.

GK - LORIS KARIUS

Britain Soccer Football - Swansea City v Liverpool - Premier League - Liberty Stadium - 1/10/16 Liverpool's Loris Karius warms up before the match Action Images via Reuters / John Sibley Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

Loris Karius should continue in goal after taking Simon Mignolet's place between the sticks two months ago.

The German hasn't hugely impressed in his debut season for the Reds but at least seems less error-prone than his Belgian counterpart.

Karius needs to be more effective in shutting teams out - he has registered only one clean sheet this season - and commanding when the ball is in the box if he wants to hold onto his place long-term.

RB - NATHANIEL CLYNE

Football Soccer Britain - Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur - EFL Cup Fourth Round - Anfield - 25/10/16 Liverpool's Nathaniel Clyne in action with Tottenham's Georges-Kevin Nkoudou Action Images via Reuters / Jason Cairnduff Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Nathaniel Clyne is a certainty to face up against his old club and will be hoping to make an impact in both an attacking and defensive sense.

Clyne, who played for the Saints between 2012 and 2015, represented the national team against Spain this week and is enjoying a solid season.

The 25-year-old may have a little more licence to roam forward against a Southampton side that tends to play without natural wingers.

CB - DEJAN LOVREN

Britain Soccer Football - Burnley v Liverpool - Premier League - Turf Moor - 20/8/16 Burnley's Andre Gray in action with Liverpool's Dejan Lovren Action Images via Reuters / Lee Smith Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Another man who will be returning to familiar surroundings at Southampton is Dejan Lovren.

The Croatian didn't have the best of times after trading St Mary's for Anfield in 2014 following a successful season with the Saints, but has looked a lot more assured since Klopp took charge.

Lovren will be in for a busy afternoon, whether dealing with the strength and clever positioning of Charlie Austin or the pace and trickery of Nathan Redmond.

CB - JOEL MATIP

Joel Matip

Part of the reason Lovren has seemed more composed at the back is the introduction of Joel Matip.

The Cameroonian, who joined for free from Schalke 04 in the summer, has impressed for the Reds since making his debut against Spurs.

Liverpool have actually only conceded more than one goal on one occasion with Matip in the side, with the 25-year-old's dominance in the air and turn of pace often bailing them out.

LB - JAMES MILNER

Britain Football Soccer - Liverpool v Watford - Premier League - Anfield - 6/11/16
Liverpool's James Milner in action with Watford's Nordin Amrabat 
Reuters / Phil Noble
Livepic
EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.  Please contact your account representative for further details.

While Klopp should undoubtedly be looking for a natural left-back in January, he will be ecstatic with how James Milner has performed.

The versatile midfielder has done extremely well despite playing in an unfamiliar left-back position and has even netted four penalties to boot.

Milner should start above Alberto Moreno and will have to keep an eye on the Saints' attack as well as the marauding runs of Cedric Shares.

CM - GIORGINIO WIJNALDUM

Britain Football Soccer - Liverpool v Watford - Premier League - Anfield - 6/11/16 Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum celebrates scoring their sixth goal Reuters / Phil Noble Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Adam Lallana's groin injury while on England duty does come as a blow, but Liverpool at least have a competent replacement.

Giorginio Wijnaldum has been used sparingly so far but has done well when called upon, having bagged a goal and two assists in seven starts and generally looked an attacking threat.

The Dutchman should be unleashed in a more attacking role and will be aiming to match Lallana's creativity and energy in the middle of the pitch.

CM - JORDAN HENDERSON

Jordan Henderson

Jordan Henderson is really coming into his own as the commanding midfielder in the centre of the pitch for Klopp's side.

The 26-year-old leads the way with 875 successful passes in the Premier League and boasts an impressive 88% accuracy.

Henderson seems to be settling well into his deep-lying playmaker position, having arrived as a box-to-box midfielder, and it will his responsibility to dictate the tempo of the game on Saturday.

CM - EMRE CAN

Emre Can scores v Watford

Emre Can may have his work cut out at St Mary's as Liverpool's main ball-winner.

Claude Puel is likely to stick with his diamond formation, meaning the German will be the man charged with breaking up Saints' rhythm as the four men in midfield look to build momentum.

Can has only started four games this season and may therefore see this game as a chance to establish himself in the Reds' starting eleven on a long-term basis.

RW - SADIO MANE

Sadio Mane

Sadio Mane could be in for a profitable afternoon after news emerged that Ryan Bertrand may be missing.

Bertrand faces a late fitness test having picked up a knock while on international duty, meaning 21-year-old Sam McQueen could be filling in for only his second start of the season.

McQueen has performed admirably when called upon this season but will find Sadio Mane a tough opponent, with the Senegalese hitting six goals in ten games.

LW - ROBERTO FIRMINO

Roberto Firmino

If Phillipe Coutinho is indeed ruled out then Roberto Firmino will probably move out to the wing to replace him.

Coutinho has a tight hamstring and could miss out, meaning the creative responsibility could rest squarely on Firmino's shoulders.

The Brazilian has excelled in a false-nine role under Klopp and bagged five goals as well as three assists. This weekend, he may have to focus on providing chances for his teammates rather than taking them.

ST - DANIEL STURRIDGE

Football Soccer Britain - Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur - EFL Cup Fourth Round - Anfield - 25/10/16 Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images via Reuters / Jason Cairnduff Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your acco

Coutinho's absence could pave the way for a rare start for Daniel Sturridge.

The 27-year-old has mainly been relegated to bench duties this campaign having only started four matches so far.

Sturridge will likely be in high spirits this weekend after scoring an impressive instinctive header against Scotland last Friday, and will be hoping to find the net again against Southampton.

It will also be interesting to see if the striker manages to press the Southampton backline as well as Firmino does, with Coutinho's possible absence handing him the chance to impress Klopp.