PREMIER League winner Chris Sutton expects Saints to be "brave" but will ultimately come unstuck against Liverpool in the FA Cup.

Jurgen Klopp's side, who warmed up for the fifth round tie with a dramatic League Cup final win over Chelsea on Sunday, will be firm favourites despite having considerable injury issues.

Saints have lost three of their last four matches in the Championship to fall behind in the promotion race - but the FA Cup could offer them a welcome distraction.

Liverpool remain in the hunt for four trophies this season and are hoping to give their German manager a perfect farewell.

Writing in his column for the BBC, Sutton has predicted a 3-1 win for the Premier League leaders on Wednesday.

He said: "Southampton have hit a bit of a sticky patch but they are still going to play the same way and be open and expansive.

"They will give Liverpool room to play and the fact the game is at Anfield should help Jurgen Klopp's side too, whether he goes with the kids again like he did at Wembley, or not.

"We don't know if any of the big guns will be back for Liverpool after missing the Carabao Cup final, but we know that, as a team, they are hungry for trophies.

"In fact, Klopp will be gluttonous and (will) want to win everything in his final season in charge of the Reds.

"Saints will be brave but Liverpool just love to press teams and are so good at it. That will probably be the difference."