Southampton face a foreboding proposition as they welcome Liverpool to St Mary’s on Saturday.
Saints will be looking to shrug off opening day’s disappointing 3-0 loss to Burnley, with their first match back on home turf. Unfortunately for the red and white European champions Liverpool are unlikely to be amenable to that plan as they lay the groundwork for a Premier League title challenge.
While the outfit from Merseyside look to be firing on all cylinders, having brushed past the newly promoted Norwich City 4-1, SFC struggled to impose themselves on a resolute Clarets side. To make matters worse at least two of the three goals came from defensive mishaps, either as a result of an ineffectual challenge, or just simply misjudging the inclement weather conditions.
Given that this is week two a look at the form book is virtually meaningless. Last week’s surprise package can quickly become this week’s relegation candidates.
Instead, it’s worth noting that LFC did very little summer business, only signing Adrian as a backup keeper along with the signatures of van den Berg and Harvey Elliott, according to the Liverpool Echo.
This almost certainly means that Jürgen Klopp has taken a if it ain’t broke don’t fix it approach. Last year’s set of 38 match days saw virtually the same group of players, score an impressive 89 goals, concede just 22, and decisively suffer one defeat.
Southampton’s previous bouts with the Reds will do little to warm the heart, as they have failed to topple the Liverpudlian’s in five attempts. The most positive result in that run was a 0-0 draw back in 2017. Home fans will be hoping for something more akin to the 3-2 victory of 2016. Statistics from the Premier League official website offers a crumb of hope. The site reveals that:
“Against no side has Jurgen Klopp lost more often as Liverpool manager than Southampton. Saints have beaten Klopp’s side three times in 11 attempts in all competitions,”
While Liverpool bring with them a strong squad, one significant name they’ll be without is goalkeeper Alisson. The 70 million pounds star fell victim to a calf injury in his side’s opening night against Norwich. Klopp expects the shot stopper to be out for at least “a couple weeks for sure…”. (BBC sport)
As of this writing there is also some speculation that Adrian may himself miss out on his side’s trip to Southampton. Reported by the BBC, Klopp revealed that his second choice suffered an injury, after a pitch invader ran into the Spaniard. The incident occurred after the keeper saved the crucial spot kick during Wednesday night’s Super Cup clash with Chelsea.
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Conversely, Ralph Hasenhüttl’s charges go into Saturday with a fully fit squad, with midfielder Pierre-Emile Højbjerg having recovered from illness. (Southampton Official Website)
How Southampton Will Win
If you have a magic genie at your disposal, we would suggest you use it now. Failing that a top performance and a sizable chunk of luck will have to do.
If Saints succeed it will be because Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah had a quiet one. Defensive positioning will be key in dealing with Liverpool’s pace threat. Whomever starts at the back is unlikely to have the pace to go stride for stride with the oncoming frontline. The ability to spot the potential threats will be the difference maker.
Both managers look to play in a similar high press style and both will look to have their players ponce upon mistakes. If Southampton pick up the win it will likely have been because, they were Tidy in Possession, kept defensive mishaps to a minimum, and use the pace of players like Nathan Redmond, to exploit temporary gaps in Liverpool’s backline. A second half cameo from Shane Long could also prove useful as he hurries and harasses a tired defence.
If Southampton can draw Liverpool out of position, long balls over the top may also prove effective. If the hosts can survive the early thrust of their opponents, then the match could turn into a cagey affair as both sides look to avoid leaving the back door open.
The cause is strengthened as the highly prized Alisson will not be between the sticks. After being brought in at the last minute on a free transfer, Adrián may take up the gloves.
Adrián will still prove to be a tough roadblock for would be goal-scorers but is unlikely to be as vexing as his champions league winning colleague. Given the new partnership between goalkeeper and defence, Saints will be looking to capitalize on any miscommunications that may occur in the newly formed alliance.
How Liverpool Will Win
With a side that includes the likes of Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah up front Liverpool remain a potent threat. Although the home side will likely welcome in new defensive recruit Kevin Danso, the back line is still likely to be run ragged by the pace and skill of their opponents.
Last term’s 3-1 defeat showed the opposition to be able to, break at pace, display a clinical eye in front of goal, while being able to outlast Saints. Southampton gave as good as they got for much of the contest, but a need to chase the game left them exposed at the back with all the time and space Liverpool required to seal the deal.
At the other end of the pitch the South coast side will have to contend with former employee Virgil van Dijk. van Dijk’s Calm demeanour, and ability to read and then snuff out developing threats marks him out as one of the world’s top centre backs. Liverpool as a defensive unit only conceded 22 goals in the entirety of last season. If the visitors triumph it will likely be thanks to the side’s abundance of talent in attack and a wise head at the back.
Lineups and Prediction
Southampton: 5-2-2-1
Goalkeeper: Angus Gunn
Defenders/Wing Backs: Jan Bednarek, Jannik Vestergaard, Kevin Danso, Yan Valery, Ryan Bertrand
Midfielders/Attackers: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Oriol Romeu, Nathan Redmond, James Ward-Prowse
Striker: Che Adams
Liverpool: 4-3-3
Goalkeeper: Adrián
Defenders/Fullbacks: Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson
Midfielders/Attackers: Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, Fabinho
Striker: Roberto Firmino