Uh oh. Bad news for Southampton? 

Virgil van Dijk goes down clutching his back in the centre circle. It looks like he landed awkwardly after challenging with Daniel Sturridge for the ball.

It's only a brief worry, though, as he takes in a few deep breaths and cracks on. A collective sight of relief around St Mary's.

Former Saint Nathaniel Clyne has a go from distance as Liverpool come forward now, but it's straight into Steven Davis' chest. 

Image source, Getty Images

Manjeet: Which Southampton player would Liverpool fans would want to take? Ryan Bertrand. Milner is just a short term fix

Southampton look determined to nick an early goal and put the pressure on Liverpool as Nathan Redmond sends in a cross from the right. Jay Rodriguez is lurking in the area but Loris Karius scoops up the ball.

Image source, Reuters

Those empty seats are starting to fill up as latecomers make a dash from the concourse. On the pitch, Southampton are on the attack early doors as Jay Rodriguez tries to pick his way through the Liverpool defence, fails, before captain for the night Virgil van Dijk knocks a ball over the defence but into Loris Karius' hands.

Southampton get this EFL Cup semi-final up and running.

Image source, Reuters

It's a chilly night in Southampton, too cold for some it would seem judging by a few empty seats. It is supposed to be a sell out, so it might just be a couple hundred fans grabbing a last-minute warming cup of Bovril.

The two sets of players walk out onto the pitch. Almost time for kick off.

Steve Claridge
Ex-Leicester striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Jose Fonte is an integral part of the side, I would play him tonight. Leaving him out undermines the dressing room.

There is an attitude at Southampton that nobody is bigger than the club, if a manager goes, if a player goes well we'll replace them. That's all well and good but sometimes players are integral to a club.

I would say 'you're playing in this game.' It's not often you get a chance to get to a final. 

Image source, Rex Features

A brief bout of January blues? Or a longer-term ailment that needs curing?

Luis Enrique is hoping Barca's blip is nothing too serious. And, with the backing of the Camp Nou tonight, he is confident his team can overturn a 2-1 deficit and avoid not reaching the Copa del Rey last eight for only the second time since 2005. 

"Athletic will bring the pressure up the field for sure because that's what they do," says the Barca boss. 

"But when we beat it in the first leg we were able to find space behind their defence and create scoring chances.

"If we score a goal we'll be ahead on aggregate and Athletic will have to take risks."

Image source, EPA

John Murray
5 live Sport reporter at St Mary's

Jose Fonte has asked for a transfer and is not playing in this game but other than that it's Southampton's strongest possible team.

Liverpool will miss former Saint Sadio Mane who is away at the Africa Cup of Nations. 

Image source, Getty Images

These two legs against Liverpool are massive for Southampton. They haven't reached a major Wembley cup final since they played Nottingham Forest in the 1979 League Cup final.

This is former Saints striker Phil Boyer posing before that game with an axe, apparently to highlight how they would make mincemeat out of Nottingham Forest. 

Southampton lost 3-2.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at St. Mary's

Southampton and Liverpool are fighting for a place in the EFL Cup Final Wembley - where it looks like Manchester United will be waiting after their 2-0 semi-final first leg win against Hull City last night.

The teams met in this competition last season here at St. Mary's at the quarter-final stage - and Liverpool handed out a 6-1 thrashing.

Jurgen Klopp gives another cup opportunity to much-criticised keeper Loris Karius and there is the welcome sight of Philippe Coutinho returning as a substitute after an ankle injury.

Which Southampton player would Liverpool fans want to take, and which ex-Saint at Anfield would Southampton fans want back? 

Johnny Magrinho: 100% Fraser Forster. Very underrated, reliable keeper. Exactly what Liverpool need - him & Fonte would do wonders at the back.

Daniel Onaolapo: VIrgil van Dijk

Liverpool

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: "We have the opportunity to reach a final and we have fresh legs tonight. Southampton have a strong team too, that's how it is when you smell a final.

"It is early for Philippe Coutinho but it is possible [that he could play], it depends on the situation. If we need him he can play.

"You have to show your desire to get to the final. It's an opportunity for both teams, no favourites, just show your best in the two games.

"Southampton have a really good side, it will be interesting. I have never played for a result, you have to get the maximum you can from any game. We cannot win the whole tie tonight, that is clear."

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Getty Images

No other side has appeared in more League Cup semi-finals than Liverpool. 

This is their 17th appearance at this stage of the competition, while they have won it more times than other team, lifting the trophy on eight occasions. 

Another good sign for Liverpool fans? Jurgen Klopp has never lost a semi-final he has taken part in as a manager.

Cup fever is spreading across the continent. Sort of. 

As well as the English League Cup and the Spanish Copa del Rey, there is also domestic cup action in France and Italy.  

Paris St-Germain - the French champions and Coupe de la Ligue holders - host Metz in the quarter-finals, while Italy's 'double double' winners Juventus welcome last-16 opponents Atalanta.

PSG have scored 12 goals without reply in their past two games. Juventus have lost just one domestic home match in almost two years - a running spanning 41 games.

#prayformetzandatalanta

Going back to work after the Christmas break is a chore. Short days loafing about on the sofa, the hardest decision usually which box of sugary treats to open, the hardest effort usually having to move to find the television remote. Takes a while to get back into the swing of things, right?

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and the rest of the Barcelona all stars know the feeling. They just can't get going in 2017 after a two-week winter break.

The año nuevo began with a 2-1 defeat at Athletic Bilbao - who finished with NINE men - in their Copa del Rey last-16 first leg before they scrambled a late draw at Villarreal on Sunday.

Tonight they're back on home turf for the second leg  against Athletic. Back to winning ways?

Oliver Adams: Alright @SouthamptonFC, external you know the rules, you win and we buy your best player. You've been warned

Image source, PA

Southampton

Southampton manager Claude Puel: "It's an exciting game against great players. Liverpool are favourites but we can do a good first leg and it is important to get a good result before the second leg.

"It's important to keep a chance for the second leg. A clean sheet today is a good thing. It would be interesting to win this game."

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton's Christmas has been akin to the one I had when I thought I was getting a games console only to end up with a new dressing gown inexplicably packaged up in a large box - disappointing. 

The Saints lost all three of their fixtures over the festive period and have conceded 11 goals in their last four games. Their shaky defence hasn't been helped by the fact that captain Jose Fonte wants out of the club.

Fonte handed in a transfer request a few days ago and hasn't been included by Saints boss Claude Puel in his squad to face Liverpool.