Liverpool vs Southampton 22/09/18: Three Key Players

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Andy Robertson of Liverpool is challenged by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Southampton and Cedric Soares of Southampton during 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)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Andy Robertson of Liverpool is challenged by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Southampton and Cedric Soares of Southampton during 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)
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 22: Wesley Hoedt of Southampton is challenged by Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during 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)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 22: Wesley Hoedt of Southampton is challenged by Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during 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)

It may be no surprise that against top-of-the-League Liverpool on their Home turf, Saints slipped to defeat following a first half drumming.

Having come into this game, off claiming four points in their last two games, some fans might’ve felt slightly optimistic about the chance of stealing a result at Anfield.

Mark Hughes’ men lined up slightly different to how they had in all of their previous games this season, opting for the one up-top whilst packing out the midfield with the addition of Oriol Romeu and Matt Targett to the starting line-up.

However, the plan to stop Liverpool’s flow and deadly attacking front-trio was quickly dimiesed due to a Wesley Hoedt own-goal. Joel Matip and Mohamed Salah added the finishing touches to a convincing win for the Merseyside club.

Despite the negatives of the performance in general, we’ll look into which players offered Southampton a foot-hold in the game.