Southampton have a clean bill of health heading into their Barclays Premier League clash with Liverpool.

Danny Fox and Steven Davis were the only absentees in last weekend's 0-0 draw at Norwich but could feature for Mauricio Pochettino's side at St Mary's.

Vegard Forren played for the under-21s again on Monday so is a step closer to fitness.

Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho has similar quality to Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi, according to Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino.

The 20-year-old Brazilian has enjoyed a fine start to life at Anfield, having joined from Inter Milan during the January transfer window.

It was a time in which Coutinho was heavily linked with a move to Southampton, whose manager Pochettino knows the midfielder well after coaching him during a loan spell at Espanyol last season.

The Saints boss was coy when asked whether he had tried to lure Coutinho to the south coast, but more forthcoming when asked about the quality of the player in line to start at St Mary's.

"What has happened in the past, happened in the past," Pochettino said. "We can't change it or do anything about it. Actually, talking about it is not going to do anything positive either.

"Philippe is a Brazilian player and, as it happens with most Brazilians, he has a special magic in his feet.

"Aside from the magic that he has, he also has an amazing work rate and that makes us doubt whether he fits the mould of a typical Brazilian player or a European one because his work ethic is outstanding.

"What is important about him is he is a good lad, a good kid - a great, humble person.

"I do think Coutinho has that same quality that Ronaldinho and Messi have, but he has much to prove yet.

"What is really clear to me is that Coutinho is a really responsible player - really dedicated and responsible to his own players."

Liverpool will make a late assessment on the fitness of goalkeeper Jose Reina before they travel.

The Spain international missed last weekend's win over Tottenham with a calf injury and manager Brendan Rodgers will decide whether he will be recalled after training.

Midfielder Joe Allen has a shoulder problem but it will not prevent him being included in the squad.

Rodgers believes that commitment and belief in his method is now starting to pay dividends as the side recorded a third successive league victory for the first time since May 2011 with Sunday's win over third-placed Tottenham.

"What we are seeing is the characteristics of the team, which is control and domination, but also a real steel to the defensive unit and everyone working for the cause and that is very important at the moment," said Rodgers.

"We are trying to form new ways of working and it is not easy for players, especially if you have worked a certain way with a certain manager and you bring in another manager who is a different man who works tactically different.

"There were some teething problems but staying calm was important for us.

"It is never easy. You want players to get on the ball and play but on the other side of that is to show your steel.

"In order to co-ordinate that it takes a bit of time but thankfully everyone has been really positive.

"You have to give credit to the players because they have continually believed and seen the development.

"You look at the quality of some of them but aligned to that is their courage.

"I inherited some very good players here but this season was a transition in many ways because of finances and there were management issues which I had to undertake coming in which were not just on the football operation.

"But the players have coped really well and slowly we have made a few additions and we hope we can do likewise in the summer.

"If we can do that over the course of the summer as each window goes by you start to see more of your type (of player), but that's taking nothing away from the players because they've been outstanding."

Liverpool head to struggling Southampton looking to maintain their winning run and try to close the seven-point gap on the top four but Rodgers stressed they were focused only on the next match.

"We can't get too far ahead of ourselves," he added.

"The second part of the season has been outstanding. We had a tough game physically and mentally against Tottenham and this week has been about getting refocused and re-energised for Southampton."

mod move this to the front page.. a win for liverpool will keep them for top 4 dream.. i pray we win this match as we cant afford to dent our top 4 dream.. up liverpool

It's not going to be an easy one. Winning against a relegation threatened team at this stage is always difficult. Knowing us well, we may end up winning 5-0 or losing 2-0. A win though would surely boost the morale of the team as it would be 4 in 4. YNWA

@ ak - it not gonna be be easy match.i pray we win.ynwa

Am coming, lemme settle my guys on d site....

As I earlier posted, this won't be an easy game. We tend 2 struggle whenever we are expected to win this type of games. A win will take us to 5th depending on the result of Swansea vs Arsenal. I'm afraid we may fail to turn up just as we did against Villa and WBA at Anfield. BTW, why is this not on the FP?

Though ℓ̊'m not a liverpool fan but i used to hv a special feeling for d club,i hope they win †ђξ match

We gonna win 3 O, we never walk alone, Oga at the top is always with us

knorkle2:
i hope for 5-0

With a front 4 of Suarez, Sturridge, Coutinho, and Downing, a 5-0 scoreline is never an impossibility

Hey all scousers/liverpudlian/kop guys..... i greeet you all. this is another day the Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad cos we dont walk alone. sit back and enjoy the game. YNWA!!!!!

No game is easy.at this stage and any liverpool fan who is thinking of top 4 should just take it easy.if it comes we be happy.it its like a tall dream.

We can do this boys!!
Never underestimate your opponent, let's have a hatful of goals and make it 5 out of 5.
YNWA!!!

I pray we win the match......ynwa

I have no worry. Liverpool will dispatch Soton in a jiffy. Expect goals galore. C'mon you Reds!
YNWA!

We shld win...Goodluck.

Goodluck Reds

Game on!

Southampton scores

This defense is still our major problem

alekside: This defense is still our major problem

Not even the defense, wtf did he bench Lucas for Allen

Shezzman: We shld win...Goodluck.

win wat...its obvous u dnt knw dis relegation strugglers..dem no dy gree at all

I knew we won't turn up 4 this

Lambert scores
Soton 2 LIVERPOOL 0

2-0

Liverpool na wa ooooo

why will b.r bench lucas ? Smh for him

liverpoll wake up!!

GOAL!!
COUNTINHO SCORES.
SOTON 2 LIVERPOOL 1

Liverpool, so inconsistent. YOWA

Our midfield and defense is so poor 2day.

liverpool can still claim the 3 point