SAINTS boss Will Still says their Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool is a chance for fringe players to stake a claim, and urged his squad to "stand up" after Saturday's defeat.
Still hinted that he will rest some players at Anfield while also keeping those who deserve to start in the lineup amidst a busy schedule.
The Reds, top of the Premier League, have won every game so far this season but will be without key players Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk, Arne Slot has confirmed.
Still called on those who will start on Tuesday evening to "have a right go" and admitted this is a chance to springboard the season, regardless of the result.
"We've got a massive squad and some players need to play, some players need an opportunity as well, so that's what will happen," Still said on Monday.
READ: Every word Still said on Azaz's struggles, passive possession and Liverpool
"We're never just going to completely disregard it and put a load of under-21s in. We've got a lot of good players and some good players that deserve this opportunity.
"But also some players that have done really well, considering the weaker results or the lesser results of the past few weeks.
"It's about getting the right mix between those players that need to play and the ones that probably deserve to play as well.
"Whatever team will start tomorrow will be the team that we think is the best team to play that game at this moment in time and have a right go.
"Read the room, read the situation, I think. No one is blind to what's going on and how we're conceding goals. And like I said just then, it's an opportunity."
Saints head to Liverpool only days on from their disappointing 3-1 defeat at Hull City, which extended their winless Championship run to five games.
With a game against league leaders Middlesbrough on the weekend, Still is delighted to have games coming thick and fast after a bad start to the season.
"I think it's a good thing we're playing again, and we get an opportunity to sort of erase the mistakes that we made on Saturday," he continued.
"No one is stupid; nobody is blind to what the challenge is tomorrow night. They are the best team in England, probably one of the best teams in Europe.
"We have to go there with the belief that we can play football and that we're good at doing certain things in our repertoire. We expect it to be a challenge; we expect it to be tough.
"But it's a cup, it's a one-off, I think all cup games are, and I think we just have to show a bit of personality, a bit of bravery to stand back up.
"It will also present a few opportunities for other players. We have to just go for it and don't overthink it, don't overanalyse it and stand up and be counted for.
"I just want us to show a bit of what we're about and not just go there and fold over and crumple. We need to be strong, we need to be good at what we do."
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