Saints Marching
Fansided

Southampton vs. Liverpool: Opposing fan’s view

By Ben Whitlock

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates with his teammates after scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on February 4, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates with his teammates after scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on February 4, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Southampton welcome Liverpool to St Mary’s this Sunday in the weekends late kick off, as Virgil Van Dijk returns to the Saints for the first time after his January switch.

Both sides will be eager to win the match, as the Saints look to move further away from the relegation zone, while Liverpool will be hoping for three points that can ease the pressure off them in the race for a Champions League spot.

Jurgen Klopp’s men are currently sat in third place, five points behind second place Manchester United, and one point ahead of fourth placed Chelsea.

The Anfield club’s defence has been their biggest problem this season, even after adding £75 million man Van Dijk. However, lifelong Liverpool fan Harry Thomas believes his team aren’t doing that badly.

"“At 3rd in the league, and with a favourable champions league knockout fixture coming up, I feel like I should be happy with where we are at, but unfortunately the same problems we had last season have carried over to this one. “Whilst we’ve got the most exciting attack in the league, and arguably one of the best in the world, there are still too many games where our defence has cost us points with stupid errors, last week’s game against Tottenham being a perfect example.”"

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND – JANUARY 30: Georginio Wijnaldum and Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool warm up prior to the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Liverpool at John Smith’s Stadium on January 30, 2018 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND – JANUARY 30: Georginio Wijnaldum and Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool warm up prior to the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Liverpool at John Smith’s Stadium on January 30, 2018 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

The Merseyside club breezed past Saints 3-0 in the reverse fixture back in November, with Coutinho and Salah getting on the score-sheet. Since then, their star Brazilian Coutinho has left the club for Barcelona, and Harry believes this could have an impact on the rest of Liverpool’s season, as the race for Champions League places hots up.

"“I think losing Coutinho is going to make the rest of the season much harder as well and I hope we don’t regret not bringing in a replacement.More from Saints MarchingGrading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: ArrivalsGrading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: DeparturesIt’s time to talk about Gavin BazunuRain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth ArgyleA lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse“However, things are definitely looking positive and I can see us getting top 4 and maybe even a champions league semi-final depending on whether we can finally get our defence to start working as a solid unit.”"

Coming off the back of a vital three points away to West Brom, Saints now find themselves in 15th place, still only two points ahead of the drop zone.

It was Saints first win in 12 league games, and Harry believes that the club will benefit from departing with current boss Mauricio Pellegrino.

"“Having one win in 12, and finding yourselves in the position that you are in, potentially facing a relegation battle, is not good enough for a club of Southampton’s ability. “If you look at the clubs around you that have sacked their manager and replaced with a new one, they have all picked up points in vital games. For example, Everton, Crystal Palace and West Ham all started the season terribly, but since getting in new managers, they have somewhat turned their seasons around.”"

Southampton vs Liverpool kicks off tomorrow afternoon at 4:30.