Liverpool 3-0 Southampton 22/09/18: Three Key Takeaways

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 22: Mark Hughes, Manager of Southampton looks on prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield on September 22, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

Struggle for balance in team remains

Mark Hughes reverted to a defensive set-up to face Liverpool at Anfield and tried to nullify the Reds rampant attack as much as possible.

However, the attempts to be solid in defence didn’t work well at all and Saints found themselves 3-0 down by half-time.

The attacking threat of the home side gave license to defend, but it also severely limited that ability of Saints to create too. Just one shot on target is not enough for any team in any game.

Against Brighton, some good attacking play saw Saints earn a two-goal lead. Even then they struggled to find the balance between attack and defence and sat far too deep late on; allowing the Seagulls to eventually level the game.

Improvements in the set-up of the team need to be made and implemented against Wolves next week, where it will be more acceptable to throw bodies forward.