Liverpool continue their chase for the Premier League title as Jurgen Klopp’s Reds host Southampton at Anfield.
Victory will lift Liverpool above Manchester City into second until Sunday afternoon at minimum, whereas Southampton can go as high as eighth with a win along with results elsewhere going in their favour.
Team News
Naby Keita could be available for Liverpool after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Roberto Firmino (hamstring), Joe Gomez (calf), Curtis Jones (eye) and Harvey Elliott (ankle) remain ruled out.
Southampton could welcome Nathan Redmond back after the midfielder recovered from a bout of Coronavirus.
Moussa Djenepo (fitness) is also set to be available for selection but Jack Stephens (knee) and Stuart Armstrong (calf) are ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Liverpool are unbeaten in eight of their last nine league meetings against Southampton (W7, D1, L1).
- Southampton have claimed just one point from their last five visits to Anfield (D1, L4).
- Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have kept clean sheets in their last five home matches against Southampton.
- Sadio Mane has scored in each of Liverpool’s last four league matches at home this season, with three of his goals scored in the first half.
- Southampton have scored first in four of their last five league matches.
Prediction
Having endured two slow-burner matches which they ultimately went on to dominate with clinical goals, Liverpool certainly enter this match as favourites but their main task here surely has to be to survive a potentially aggressive start from Southampton given their fast starts in recent games.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints though struggled for consistent quality and intensity in last weekend’s loss at Norwich, which was evident by numerous wasted chances but Liverpool are a step up in class so they will need to raise their game and maintain focus throughout if want the win.
The opening minutes though will be crucial because if Southampton can score first, I can see them shutting up shop quickly and sitting deep defensively which could cause Liverpool issues if they have another off-day like they did at West Ham earlier this month.
I though have a feeling that Liverpool will have enough in them to find at least a draw if not victory because they seem to have momentum in terms of consistently scoring in matches.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Southampton
Result: Liverpool 4-0 Southampton