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Southampton: Is the Liverpool loss the final straw for Pellegrino?

By Christian Bird

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Ryan Bertrand of Southampton tackles Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on November 18, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Ryan Bertrand of Southampton tackles Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on November 18, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /
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After an appalling performance against Liverpool on Saturday, Southampton currently reside in 14th place, and potentially could drop another place if Stoke beat Brighton on Monday Night Football.

The pressure is building upon Mauricio Pellegrino to pick up points, but is it already enough’s enough?

Liverpool’s attacking threat overshadowed Saints in a game that was already over by the end of the first half. Roberto Firmino was on fire whilst Mohamed Salah had obviously brought his shooting boots with him. Meanwhile, Philippe Coutinho was influential in the midfield.

However, Southampton went down without much of a fight, hardly holding onto the ball throughout 90 minutes, which no team can afford to do against the likes of Liverpool, unless you are super quick on the break, such are the United’s, Chelsea’s, and City’s of the world.

Southampton gifted time, and space for Salah to shoot and score an opener after giving away possession around the box, while Virgil van Dijk had been dragged out of position for Salah’s second, terribly ironic following a lengthy transfer window saga, which opted to bring Van Dijk to the club. Liverpool sealed the victory when Coutinho struck home from close range.

Saints were unorganised from defence to attack, and were outclassed by a resurgent Liverpool team. Pellegrino’s side were clearly unprepared to pinpoint pivotal player’s out of the game.

Interestingly, Liverpool fielded a younger XI than Southampton, with Saints’ players averaging 26.5 years old.

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Southampton played their usual formation (4-5-1) as Shane Long led the lonesome line, whilst Liverpool started with a 4-3-3 formation that on paper would score goals. This theory transferred into reality, and as such, left Southampton in the thick of a muddy mess.

Mauricio Pellegrino has now been in charge for 13 games, with a win ratio of 26%. Having played this many games is not a fair reflection of how that manager may perform in future, but I wonder whether players have already had enough, or perhaps he is struggling with football in this country.

I do not doubt for one minute that his heart is in the club, and should he continue, results may come. But it would not surprise me that Southampton and its new owners are running inpatient, with the expectations of the club much higher than what they are delivering.

Fans are adamant that it is time for change just five months after Pellegrino’s appointment, who replaced current Leicester City manager Claude Puel. Several fans have already taken to Twitter to express their displeasure.

I compare Mauricio Pellegrino’s position to Slaven Bilic’s, who failed to deliver on the Premier League stage this season, and as a result being dismissed. In time, I feel Slaven could have brought West Ham up the table.. Nevertheless, this did not rescue his job.

Southampton, much like West Ham, are striving to be at least a top half club season after season, but at the moment are struggling to keep up with Brighton, Huddersfield, Newcastle, and even Bournemouth. What I am saying is if Southampton drops further down the table, Pellegrino will undoubtedly follow Bilic out of the door.