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Liverpool vs. Southampton: Preview and predictions

By Ben Whitlock

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Virgil van Dijk of Southampton in action during the Premier League match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Southampton at Amex Stadium on October 29, 2017 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Virgil van Dijk of Southampton in action during the Premier League match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Southampton at Amex Stadium on October 29, 2017 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images) /
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Saints return to Premier League football this weekend with an away trip to Anfield to face Liverpool.

The visitors are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions against Liverpool, winning three and drawing two, and will be looking to continue the impressive record.

Liverpool will be looking to win their third game in a row on Saturday, and progress from their current fifth position. The reds thrashed West Ham 4-1 away from home last time out, while Saints suffered a disappointing 1-0 home loss to Burnley.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is yet to beat Saints since taking over at Anfield (W0 D3 L1), tied with Man United for the side he has faced more without winning.

Having withdrawn from the England Squad last week, Captain Jordan Henderson could feature tomorrow. Coutinho has missed Liverpool’s last three games, and will be a late decision on whether he will play.

As for Saints, there are no new injury concerns, with Mario Lemina still not fit to play despite returning to training this week.

While Saints currently boast an impressive record against this weeks opponents, Liverpool have lost only two of their last 32 Premier League matches at Anfield, drawing 11 and winning 19.

In form Mohammed Salah can equal or break Robbie Fowler’s Liverpool record of scoring eight goals in his first 12 Premier League game.

On the back of winning the Carling goal of the month, Saints’ Sofiane Boufal will be looking to recreate the quality that earned him the award if given the chance to start at Anfield.

Why Liverpool will win

It is clear that Liverpool are a team that ooze quality in every position on the pitch, especially their attackers. They have shown already this season that they can score goals for fun at times, and there is always a constant threat going forward.

While their defence can sometimes be a bit shaky, the rest of the team are more than capable of outscoring Saints, and I think this will be the case in this match.

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Why Southampton will win

Saints posses a very impressive record against Liverpool that only Man United can match, and will be looking to make up for their poor performance against Burnley.

Saints have been defensively sound for the majority of the season, and will need to keep this up in order to get anything out of this game.

If the back line can remain solid, Saint’s will surely get a chance to take all three points at some point in the game if the Liverpool defence are not on their best day.

Team predictions

Liverpool 

Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet

Defenders: Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Ragnar Klavan, Alberto Moreno

Midfielders: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Georginio Wijnaldum, Emre Can

Attackers: Sadio Mane, Mohammed Salah, Roberto Firmino

Southampton 

Goalkeeper: Fraser Forster

Defence: Cedric Soares, Virgil van Dijk, Maya Yoshida, Ryan Bertrand

Midfielders: Steven Davis, Oriol Romeu, Sofiane Boufal, Dusan Tadic, Nathan Redmond

Striker: Manolo Gabbiadini

Verdict:

It looks like it might be a tight game but if the Saints go behind they’re unlikely to out-score any team, let alone Liverpool.

Lemina’s absence will be sorely missed, and with Lallana and Mane potentially both returning, Liverpool should this out.

Liverpool 2-1 Southampton

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