Saints Marching
Fansided

Southampton 1-3 Liverpool: Premier League Three Key Players

By Ryan Borowski

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 05: Shane Long of Southampton celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Liverpool FC at St Mary's Stadium on April 05, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 05: Shane Long of Southampton celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Liverpool FC at St Mary's Stadium on April 05, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /
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Southampton gave the Reds a fight but it came up just short as the visiting side scored 2 goals late and took all 3 points from the match.

Credit to Hasenhuttl and the players for having a game plan and executing it to perfection as the put in a very solid performance that they should be proud of.

Let us take a look at the 3 key players for the Saints in their home loss.

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – MARCH 30: Ralph Hasenhuettl, Manager of Southampton celebrates following the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton FC at American Express Community Stadium on March 30, 2019 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – MARCH 30: Ralph Hasenhuettl, Manager of Southampton celebrates following the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton FC at American Express Community Stadium on March 30, 2019 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /

One thing Hasenhuttl will need to sort before Wolves game. dark. Next

Jannik Vestergaard

The Center-back had to duty of marking Mo Salah all evening long and did a sensational job. He used his size and strength to counteract the fast smaller opponent and essentially neutralized the Egyptian when Liverpool had the ball in the final third. Vestergaard finished the game with 4 tackles, won 3 aerials, 2 interceptions, and 10 clearances in his 83 minutes on the pitch.

He is finally looking like the defender we thought we were getting and seems to be enjoying his time on the South coast with Hasenhuttl and the Premier League.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

The Captain also had himself a solid evening on the pitch. Hojbjerg had 55 touches in the match and looked very confident going forward with the ball. He also assisted on the goal with a beautiful touch that fell right to the feet of Shane Long.

It has been exciting to see Hojbjerg develop into a more and more complete and confident player and moving forward he will be a great midfielder for years to come.

Shane Long

The Irishman opened the game with a ninth minute goal that he calmly slide past Alisson to give the Saints an early lead. Shane Long, has been known to struggle finishing goals and it was great to see him take his chance so well and put it in the back of the net. If he can boost his confidence and finish a few more chances this year I like the Saints odds of staying up this season.