Premier League giants Liverpool travel to Southampton on Thursday, 18 May to play their penultimate league match of the season. The Reds are placed second with four points below Manchester City with a game in hand.The trip to St. Mary's is very critical for Jurgen Klopp and his men to stay alive in the title race. With Manchester City left to face Aston Villa and Liverpool left to play Wolverhampton Wanderers, the final day of the Premier League cannot get more exciting.Liverpool's Premier League hopes are still aliveThe Reds were involved in an exhausting FA Cup final last weekend against Chelsea. The match went into a penalty shootout, with the Merseyside club emerging as the winners with a 6-5 scoreline.Given that the majority of first-team players were involved in the FA Cup tie, Jurgen Klopp will look to make a good number of changes to face Southampton. Here, we take a look at how Liverpool could line-up against the Saints on Thursday.Formation: 4-3-3GK: Alisson BeckerManchester City v Liverpool - Premier LeagueThe Brazilian goalkeeper was a hero in the FA Cup final, with some stunning performances in the penalty shootout. Alisson Becker has been a key player for Jurgen Klopp and still has a big role to play this season.Squawka@SquawkaLiverpool have kept more clean sheets in the Premier League (21) than any other team this season.Alisson Becker with the safest of hands. Golden glove bound? 🧤946122Liverpool have kept more clean sheets in the Premier League (21) than any other team this season.Alisson Becker with the safest of hands. Golden glove bound? 🧤 https://t.co/wHQ4g1bQtCWith a joint-most 20 clean sheets to his name already this campaign, the 29-year old has conceded just 22 goals in 34 appearances. He will be hoping to add one more to his tally against Southampton to help his cause win the Golden Glove award at the end of the season.RB: Trent Alexander-ArnoldLiverpool v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier LeagueTrent Alexander-Arnold had a fabulous game against Chelsea in the FA Cup final. He was at his creative best and helped the team immensely both in attack and defense.Jurgen Klopp will look to give him a break but given the intensity of the title race, the Englishman is expected to start. If things go right, he could be subbed off early and rested before the crucial Champions League final against Real Madrid.CB: Joel MatipJoel Matip will have to use his experience to keep a clean sheet on ThursdayVirgil van Dijk was substituted in the FA Cup final and is currently struggling with a knee injury. Given that the Champions League final is close, the Dutchman is unlikely to play any part against Southampton.Joel Matip is expected to be back in the side to replace Van Dijk against the latter's former club. The Cameroonian defender will have to rally the troops at the back using his experience and composure.CB: Ibrahima KonateLiverpool v West Ham United - Premier LeagueJurgen Klopp would have loved to give Ibrahima Konate a break but there is still a lot at stake against Southampton. His smart and aggressive gameplay has been very helpful for Liverpool this campaign.Although Jurgen Klopp has the option to play Joe Gomez, it is likely that Konate will start the game for the Reds. The French defender could also come in handy with his goal-scoring abilities from set-pieces.LB: Kostas TsimikasTsimikas is expected to replace Robertson on ThursdayAndrew Robertson is expected to be given a rest against Southampton. The Scotsman played a very active part in Liverpool's FA Cup victory and given the Champions League final, Jurgen Klopp would want him fresh.Empire of the Kop@empireofthekop🗣️"You look at the lads that have been left out today, which is so tough."Andy Robertson on Kostas Tsimikas and the importance of Liverpool's squad depth #LFC34318🗣️"You look at the lads that have been left out today, which is so tough."Andy Robertson on Kostas Tsimikas and the importance of Liverpool's squad depth 🇬🇷 #LFC https://t.co/qp6T8OghUjThe Reds are expected to start with their second-choice left-back Kostas Tsimikas against the Saints. With his aggressive and attacking play, the Greek defender is expected to do the job.CDM: James MilnerNewcastle United v Liverpool - Premier LeagueFabinho has been ruled out with a hamstring injury and is expected to join the team for the Champions League final. In his absence, Jordan Henderson played a holding role in the FA Cup final.Liverpool FC@LFC.@JamesMilner was all of us 288483149.@JamesMilner was all of us 😁 https://t.co/Mb6s55uITCHenderson is expected to be rested against Southampton. The experienced James Milner is expected to replace Henderson and help the Reds dominate the midfield.CM: Curtis JonesCurtis Jones has a chance to prove himself against SouthamptonThiago Alcantara has been a regular player for Liverpool this campaign. The Spaniard has been vital in pulling the strings from midfield.Jurgen Klopp is likely to rest Thiago to ensure he's fresh ahead of the Champions League final. Curtis Jones is expected to replace the Spanish midfielder to face Southampton.CM: Naby KeitaNewcastle United v Liverpool - Premier LeagueThe Guinean midfielder has enjoyed regular game time in the past few matches. Naby Keita, with his attacking gameplay and creativity, could hurt the opposition when on song.LFC Stats@LFCDataNaby Keita vs Aston Villa• 36/44 (82%) passes• 67 touches (3rd for LFC)• 2 shots (=2nd in game)• 6/8 dribbles (1st)• 3/4 tackles (=1st)• 2 interceptions (=2nd)• 6 recoveries• 9/12 ground duelsAnother battling display. Best spell of his Liverpool career 16928Naby Keita vs Aston Villa• 36/44 (82%) passes• 67 touches (3rd for LFC)• 2 shots (=2nd in game)• 6/8 dribbles (1st)• 3/4 tackles (=1st)• 2 interceptions (=2nd)• 6 recoveries• 9/12 ground duelsAnother battling display. Best spell of his Liverpool career 💪 https://t.co/HDDJC0phtRGiven how Liverpool might start without Henderson and Thiago, Keita will have to play a key role in helping the forwards. He will be have to be on his guard offensively and defensively to thward the Saints' advances.RW: Luis DiazLuis Diaz will play a key role against SouthamptonDiaz has been in terrific form for the Reds ever since joining them in the winter transfer window. His mind-boggling dribbling, quick footwork and amazing link-up play have been a delight to watch.Anfield Watch@AnfieldWatch NEW: Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are set to miss Liverpool’s Premier League trip to Southampton on Tuesday as Jürgen Klopp looks to protect their fitness before the Champions League final. #awlive [paul joyce - times]10655641🚨 NEW: Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are set to miss Liverpool’s Premier League trip to Southampton on Tuesday as Jürgen Klopp looks to protect their fitness before the Champions League final. #awlive [paul joyce - times] https://t.co/HuYmsgtEIqMohamed Salah has been ruled out with a groin injury to face Southampton, as seen in the Liverpool Echo. In the Egyptian's absence, Diaz is expected to make the difference.LW: Diogo JotaDiogo Jota has been among the league's top goal-scorers this seasonThe Portuguese forward has been quite helpful with his timely goals this campaign. Diogo Jota, with his versatility, is likely to start on the left against Southampton.Squawka@SquawkaDiogo Jota has now scored 19 goals for Liverpool across all competitions this season: ◉ 7 - right-foot◎ 7 - left-foot ◎ 5 - headersNo weak foot detected. 1453238Diogo Jota has now scored 19 goals for Liverpool across all competitions this season: ◉ 7 - right-foot◎ 7 - left-foot ◎ 5 - headersNo weak foot detected. 🔍 https://t.co/WgZqg3urSkWith Sadio Mane likely to be given a break, Jota can more than satisfactorily do his job. Having already scored 15 league goals this campaign, Jurgen Klopp will expect the 25-year-old to increase his tally at St. Mary's.ST: Roberto FirminoManchester City v Liverpool - Premier LeagueThe Brazilian forward is fully fit after suffering a foot injury. Given how Klopp is likely to make a good number of changes, Firmino is likely to start as a central striker.The 30-year-old has scored five goals in nine league appearances this season. With his smart positioning and goal-scoring abilities, he will play a key role against Southampton on Thursday.