Southampton 0-2 Liverpool: Three key takeaways

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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 11: Wesley Hoedt of Southampton speaks to Jack Stephens of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Liverpool at St Mary’s Stadium on February 11, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Second-half like a training game

Southampton were able to create some decent openings in the first-half. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and James Ward-Prowse forced saves from Loris Karius, and Guido Carrillo showed some of his aerial ability when he forced a header on target.

However, the second-half was a completely different story. When the team needed to show some fight and at least try to get back in the game, they would go onto to have only one shot in the whole second period. This was compared to Liverpool’s 11 shots.

Driving forward runs and penetration from full-backs Cedric and Ryan Bertrand produced attacks and corners for Saints in the first-half, but they would disappear as their team struggled to unsettle Liverpool’s midfield and defence.

The game wasn’t very eventful after half-time as a result, and only highlighted a potential lack of fight within the Saints squad as Newcastle, Swansea West Ham and Huddersfield all gained big wins.