Read Arne Slot's programme notes for Liverpool v Southampton

The Dutchman writes: "Before moving onto tonight's game, I would like to take this opportunity to pay my respects to Matt Beard, who we sadly lost at the weekend at such a young age.

"That Matt was a special person could not be clearer. As a manager, he was a significant figure within women's football over many years. As a person, he was loved and admired by so many, both in and out of football. As a husband and father, he meant so much to his wife, Debbie, and children, Harry, Ellie and Scott.

"At Liverpool, he was respected and liked in equal measure, having claimed back-to-back league title wins in his first stint as manager of our women's team before delivering promotion following his return to the club a few years ago.

"These achievements speak volumes, as do the tributes that have been paid to Matt since we first learned of his passing. It takes a very special individual to prompt the kind of outpouring of affection we have seen in the days since then.

"Before kick-off tonight, we will pay our respects to Matt as a club and show our appreciation for everything he did for us and for football as a whole.

"On behalf of everyone involved with the men's team at Liverpool FC, I would also like to offer my condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and everyone who knew him.

"In terms of the game itself, we go into it on the back of a victory over our neighbours Everton in the Merseyside derby. That win maintained a start to the season which has definitely been promising, even though we know there is still room for improvement.

"This victory gave me a great deal of pleasure, not only because it came in a derby, but mainly because it followed a demanding schedule of Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday fixtures. Inevitably, our energy levels weren't the same at the end of such a testing week as they were at the start.

"I need to stress once again this is not an excuse. Firstly, we do not need one because we won the game, and secondly it is an explanation worth reiterating given the demands placed on our players.

"The way they faced up to this challenge showed such a strong collective mentality, and winning such a tough fixture is a huge credit to them.

"Another impact of the schedule is that we will certainly be making a number of changes for tonight's fixture. At the time of writing, it is too early to say how many, but whatever the number, we will select a starting line-up that is more than ready to play against Southampton – a team we know well, having faced them three times last season.

"I would like to welcome Will Still, his staff, players and the Southampton supporters and officials to Anfield. We know Southampton will provide difficult opposition and this expectation has not changed, even though we now occupy different divisions.

"Apart from the final, which unfortunately did not go our way, we enjoyed some really good moments in this competition last season.

"Our aim is to do the same this time around, and beginning this journey at Anfield, in front of our supporters, is something we will look to make the most of."

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