Fresh off the back of their UEFA Super Cup victory in midweek, Liverpool visit Southampton at St Marys’ Stadium as they look to continue their unbeaten start to the new season.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesSouthampton have no injury concerns to report with several summer signings, including Che Adams set for their first competitive home start.
Liverpool will be without Alisson until after the September international break as the Brazilian recovers from a calf injury picked up during their 4-1 win over Norwich last weekend.
Second choice goalkeeper, Adrian is doubtful after taking a knock to his ankle from a fan during the UEFA Super Cup Final in midweek. Should he be declared unavailable, Andy Lonergan will make his Premier League debut.
Naby Keita (muscle) and Nathaniel Clyne (knee) are also ruled out for the Reds as Jurgen Klopp rings the changes, having rotated his squad in midweek with Xherdan Shaqiri and Roberto Firmino in content to start.
Form
Southampton began their season with a 3-0 defeat at Burnley as Ashley Barnes netted a brace before Johann Berg Gudmundsson completed the Clarets’ victory in a 13 minute spell midway through the second half.
Liverpool meanwhile come into this game on a two match winning run in all competitions, although they are yet to record a clean sheet.
Stat Attack
- Southampton have won just two of their last eight against Liverpool but those victories both came in their League Cup semi-final in January 2017 (W2, D2, L4).
- Since earning a goalless draw in May 2017, Southampton have lost their last four league meetings with Liverpool on the bounce.
- At home, the Saints have taken just four points from their last five league clashes with Liverpool (W1, D1, L3).
- Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has netted five goals in his four league meetings with Southampton.
- Roberto Firmino has already made 12 passes forward whereas Southampton’s Che Adams has only made four passes forward.
Prediction
Liverpool might be engulfed in a goalkeeper crisis but Southampton are going to have to be absolutely clinical, if they’re to get past the Reds’ quality defence.
After last week’s clinical opening display, I would of been tempted to say Liverpool will comfortably win this but after a Super Cup game that went the distance, I can see it being much closer but the Reds should prevail eventually.
Prediction: Southampton 1-2 Liverpool
Result: Southampton 1-2 Liverpool