Last weekend bought many a cheer from the Liverpool section in the Transfer Tavern as the Reds look well and truly destined to finish in the Top Four this season.

With both Manchester clubs drawing and Arsenal losing, Jurgen Klopp knows that his side’s 1-0 win against Watford on Monday night more or less puts his side in the driving seat in the race for the coveted Champions League spots, meaning that the glorious European nights at Anfield may well be back for 2017/18.

With that said, Liverpool will definitely have to secure their league position without former Saint, Sadio Mane and with Philippe Coutinho also doubtful for the weekend’s fixture, a lot will ride ob the shoulders of Roberto Firmino if Liverpool are to overcome Southampton.

The Saints are often labelled as the Reds’ feeder club and Sunday’s game will see Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana go up against their former club.

It should be noted that the Reds have failed to beat Southampton in three attempts this season as well as failing to find the net, most recently the Saints knocked Liverpool out of the EFL Cup with 1-0 wins in both legs of the semi-final, which saw them progress to a show down with Manchester United at Wembley.

If Liverpool are to win this one, they will have to show more composure in attack and our landlord has lined up the XI he thinks Klopp should name to face Southampton on Sunday.

Let’s take a look at his thoughts here…

GK: Simon Mignolet

With just two clean sheets in his last ten games, our landlord doesn’t believe Klopp is any closer to solving the goalkeeping issue he has had all season.

Whilst the Reds in the Tavern feel Mignolet has improved during his time at Anfield, they still would like to see a quality keeper come to Liverpool and were upset to hear Klopp rule out a move for Manchester City keeper, Joe Hart at the start of last month.

RB: Nathaniel Clyne

An unsung hero at Liverpool, Clyne just keeps churning out the same performances that also made him a fans favourite during his time with this weekend’s opponents, Southampton.

The England international will look to impress further against his former club as he looks to play in the Champions League for the first time in his career next season.

CB: Joel Matip

Outstanding in the Reds’ last game against Watford, Liverpool fans in the Tavern are hoping Matip can provide a similar performance here against Saints main threat, Manolo Gabbiadini.

Whilst it has taken a while for the former Schalke man to adjust to English football, our landlord believes he is showing the form needed at the right time as Liverpool try to consolidate the Champions League spots.

CB: Dejan Lovren

Another former Saint, Lovren has also improved steadily this season and has forced his way into Jurgen Klopp’s first choice centre back pairing.

Southampton will know all about their former defender as they look to expose the Liverpool defence come Sunday.

LB: James Milner

Arguably Liverpool’s best defender this season, the transition of Milner to left back has pleased the Liverpool fans in the Transfer Tavern who really appreciate a honest footballer such as Milner.

The Englishman has also led Liverpool in recent weeks and will look to finish this impressive season on a high.

CM: Lucas Leiva

Still fighting for a new contract, Lucas’ recent performances seem to suggest that the Brazilian is willing to leave everything on the field in order to gain a new contract at Liverpool.

Playing due to injuries in the squad, Lucas has really benefited from extra game time this season.

CM: Georginio Wijnaldum

Our landlord has been so impressed with Wijnaldum’s work rate this season and has seen a player completely change his game since his Summer move to Anfield.

The Liverpool fans in the Tavern agree that WIjnaldum’s performances have been different to what they saw at Newcastle last season and have hailed his tendency to do the dirty work for his side.

CM: Emre Can

Liverpool fans in the Tavern are still raving about Can’s outrageous goal on Monday night and our landlord had to agree that it was quite spectacular.

Can has improved no end this season and has been victorious in many midfield battles that he has found himself in, resulting in Liverpool’s current third place position in the league.

RW: Roberto Firmino

The ace in Liverpool’s pack, can Firmino rally Liverpool and maintain the Champions League spot that the club so desperately crave?

Our landlord believes he needs to if his side are to be in the Champions League next season and has no doubt that Firmino has what it takes to carry his side’s offence for the rest of the season.

ST: Divock Origi

A real Marmite player, Liverpool fans in the Tavern seem to either love or hate Origi and it is obvious to see why with the inconsistencies of his performances.

A striker with real talent, can Origi produce the talent everyone knows he has in the last few weeks of the season?

LW: Adam Lallana

With every cloud comes a silver lining and Philippe Coutinho’s thirteen minute withdrawal on Monday night saw a return to first team football for Adam Lallana, following a thigh injury.

Although Coutinho is a big loss for the Reds, the Liverpool fans in the Tavern hope that former Saint, Lallana can produce a few stellar performances of his own before the season is out.