:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/20020687/177589208.0.jpg)
Following a very disappointing Saturday for Liverpool, the silver lining might be that at least fans and players won't have long to dwell on things thanks to Wednesday's League Cup draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford. It also wont hurt, at least when it comes to hopes of being able to rebound from the weekend's horrendous showing at Anfield, that opponents United are probably the only side in the league that had a worse weekend after rivals City handed them a 4-1 thumping.
"We wanted to win the game," admitted goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, who was one of the few players who could have walked away from the match on Saturday with his head held high. "Especially when you play at home at Anfield against Southampton, you want to get three points. They came here, blocked us off and were really organised which made it difficult for us to play and create chances [but] we’ve got another game on Wednesday, when we can put things right straight away.
"I think it’s a perfect scenario to get back to it. We have a decent game to look forward to and everybody can put things right. Sometimes you have a disappointing result, but then you have to make sure the result and performance afterwards is back on top. Everybody can look back on their performance, and take the positives and negatives out of it. We have very strong individuals in the dressing room [and] I’m sure everybody will be looking forward to the game against Manchester United."
Though Wednesday is almost certain to mark the return of Luis Suarez, who is once again available to play following his lengthy ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic last season, question marks remain at the back. Though Mignolet further insisted Liverpool have enough depth to "deal with injuries and suspensions," the continuing absence of Glen Johnson and Aly Cissokho while fellow fullbacks Martin Kelly and Jose Enrique remain questionable when it comes to being able to go the full 90 has the potential to undo Liverpool.
There are hopes that both Kelly and Enrique will be able to start—and finish—Wednesday's cup tie. If they aren't, though, Liverpool could again be looking at another four centre half set-up unless manager Brendan Rodgers is willing to experiment with either a three-man backline or with giving a debut to a promising youngster like Ryan McLaughlin.