Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says Thiago Alcantara is still some way from full fitness.
But the Reds boss has been encouraged by what he has seen so far from his summer signing following his return from injury.
The midfielder made just his third appearance of the campaign in Wednesday's goalless draw at Newcastle as he ended a two-and-a-half month stint on the sidelines.
Klopp said, “I think of the 20 minutes, 12 round about were brilliant and then he felt the intensity, but that's normal.
“He trained exactly twice with the team. There is still some physical work to do, still some rhythm to get."
On Xherdan Shaqiri, Klopp added: “Shaq is back and that's, by the way, the best news.
"The boys are back and, as far as I know in the moment, nobody got injured, which is a very important thing.
“That means we can probably go with the same squad to Southampton."
