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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KUNSHAN, CHINA – JULY 05: Benjamin Goller of Schalke FC competes for the ball against Matthew Targett of Southampton FC during the 2018 Clubs Super Cup match between Schalke and Southampton at Kunshan Sports Center Stadium on July 5, 2018 in Kunshan, Jiangsu Provinceon, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
KUNSHAN, CHINA – JULY 05: Benjamin Goller of Schalke FC competes for the ball against Matthew Targett of Southampton FC during the 2018 Clubs Super Cup match between Schalke and Southampton at Kunshan Sports Center Stadium on July 5, 2018 in Kunshan, Jiangsu Provinceon, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

Matt Targett

The left-back converted winger might not have seen the spotlight against Liverpool, however put in a credible performance for his first start of the season.

Going forward, the Saints had very little to offer but this was not down to individual performances – and more a choice of tactic.

In fact, Targett put up some decent numbers despite only being on the pitch for 54 minutes, being subbed off for Stuart Armstrong just after the first-half.

The Southampton academy-graduate played three key passes, two more than the next best in Ryan Bertrand and Cedric Soares who both achieved one – the difference was that he was on the pitch 36 minutes less.