A Sadio Mané inspired comeback led Southampton to a 3-2 victory over the Reds last season, but with their key man having jumped ship, can the Saints pull it off again?
Tenth placed Southampton host Jürgen Klopp’s Premier League leaders, Liverpool, in a battle of two high-intensity teams seeking to better their performances from last season. Liverpool are undefeated in all competitions since their 2-0 loss to Burnley on August 20th and the Reds are seemingly improving by the game, outscoring the opposition, most recently demolishing Watford 6-1 at home.
Southampton, conversely, have been a mixed bag this season. They’ve registered some very strong performances, particularly a 1-1 away draw to Manchester City, but they’ve lacked some of their consistency from last year, only managing to win three games this season, losing their last two in succession. Whilst an away defeat to Liverpool would be a much easier pill to swallow than their shocking 2-1 defeat to Hull in the previous fixture, losing three on the bounce will not sit well with the Saints faithful and Claude Puel will be keen to ensure that his players are focussed for what will almost certainly be one of their toughest games all season.
LAST TIME OUT
Hull City 2-1 Southampton
It was Mike Phelan’s first three points since being appointed as the permanent boss of Hull City, Robert Snodgrass inspiring victory, scoring his fourth league goal of the season in the 61st minute before delivering an enticing free kick, converted by Michael Dawson only two minutes later. Charlie Austin’s sixth minute penalty seemed to put the game in Southampton’s hands, and they were pressing for an equaliser, though Hull’s David Marshall made a string of saves to deny the visitors this joy. Sam Clucas, too, made a dramatic goal-line clearance from a corner in the dying embers of the game.
“We lacked concentration,” said Puel. “We lost the rhythm of the game. It is important for the future that we learn from this situation.” Perhaps still buzzing from their famous home win over Inter Milan in the Europa League, the Saints looked out of the game and a repeat performance will herald a much higher scoreline against Liverpool.
Liverpool 6-1 Watford
Liverpool went top of the Premier League for the first time under Klopp with an emphatic victory over Watford in their previous fixture before the international break. Liverpool had 28 shots on target, though they had missed a host of chances before Sadio Mané’s acrobatic header finally put them ahead in the 27th minute, before Coutinho powered home a second mere minutes later. From there, the game was firmly in Liverpool’s hands. Emre Can’s 43rd minute goal took the scoreline to 3-0 before the break. Watford were hopeless and couldn’t stop Roberto Firmino, Mané and Georginio Wijnaldum adding a further three goals. Liverpool, however, had one monetary lapse in concentration, allowing Daryl Janmaat to score a sole consolation goal for the Hornets.
Whilst it was an impressive performance under pressure from Chelsea’s big win the previous day, Klopp refused to get carried away. “There is nothing to celebrate in the moment,” said Klopp, “this is our responsibility to play well when you put on the red of Liverpool.”
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg reportedly suffered an injury on Danish international duty; he was an unused substitute in Denmark’s 4-1 win. The Saints, too, will be sweating on the fitness of Ryan Bertrand after the left back suffered a minor injury on England duty. Whilst Dusan Tadic appeared to pick up a broken nose against Wales, he is likely to play through the injury wearing a protective face mask.
Key man Adam Lallana has been ruled out of Saturday’s trip to St. Mary’s after being substituted for picking up a knock in the 27th minute in England’s friendly with Spain. Danny Ings, too, is ruled out for the season, again, after aggravating a pre-existing knee injury in the EFL Cup to Tottenham. Sheyi Ojo is also sidelined with a back injury.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Can Liverpool keep a clean sheet?
Whilst Liverpool have been playing some scintillating football going forwards, culminating in a the highest amount of goals scored in the league (30), they’ve also conceded the most out of the current top seven. Against Watford, they were cruising, but a lapse in concentration allowed Janmaat to nick a consolation goal. Southampton will be well aware of Liverpool’s defensive vulnerability and will hope to make the most of the situation, knowing that Liverpool will likely score a few goals. The Saints have scored twelve times this season, Austin leading the way with five league goals and they will be relying on him to make the difference once again.
A disruptive international break?
Premier League fans and managers often complain about the international break and the latest one has caused more reason for concern for both teams. Liverpool have lost Lallana to an injury sustained in England’s draw with Spain, whilst Southampton are sweating on the fitness of Bertrand, Hojbjerg and Tadic, all of whom are key players for their respective sides. Much, therefore, depends on how each team overcomes their injury problems, whether another player is capable of picking up the slack. It’s particualrly important in Liverpool’s case as Lallana has been such a crucial influence in the fluidity of their front four this season. Will the international break disrupt the Reds’ momentum, or will they be able to steam on?
History to repeat itself?
If history is anything to go by, Liverpool will be in a comfortable position heading into this away match at St. Mary’s. They’ve won three out of their last three trips to Southampton, scoring at least two goals, moreover, in their last four visits. It was Mané who inspired the comeback when the teams met last season, but he’s on the other side of the ball this time around and the Saints will have to find their inspiration from elsewhere.
PREDICTION: Southampton 1-3 Liverpool
Liverpool, as I’ve mentioned, are defensively vulnerable, hence why I can see Southampton nicking a goal, Austin the most likely source. However, the Reds will be too strong for their hosts, with or without key man Lallana. The interdependent movement of Firmino, Coutinho and Mané is proving too much to handle for teams in the league, plus with Daniel Sturridge to come in as a replacement, it adds a different element to the game. Although Southampton have only been beaten twice in their last 15 home games, I expect the goals to keep flowing and the good times to keep rolling with an away victory for the league leaders.
