Southampton host Liverpool at St Mary’s Stadium in a dead rubber encounter on final day of 2022-23 Premier League season.
Irrespective of the result, Southampton are guaranteed to finish rock-bottom of this season’s table as they prepare for their return to the Championship.
Liverpool meanwhile will finish fifth regardless of what happens elsewhere.
Team News
Che Adams is doubtful for Southampton as he continues to recover from a calf injury.
Armel Bella-Kotchap (hamstring), Romain Perraud (ankle), Mohamed Salisu (hip) and Juan Larios (adductor) remain absent.
Liverpool could be without left-back, Andrew Robertson after he suffered a groin injury during training.
Darwin Nunez (toe) is set to return but Ibrahima Konate (illness) is a doubt.
Naby Keita (muscle), Thiago Alcantara (hip), Calvin Ramsay (knee) and Stefan Bajcetic (adductor) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Southampton host Liverpool at St Mary’s Stadium in a 4:30pm BST kick-off on Sunday 28 May, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Southampton have claimed just four points in their last 12 meetings against Liverpool (W1, D1, L10).
- Liverpool have won four of their last five visits to Southampton (W4, L1).
- Southampton have kept just one clean sheet in their last five home meetings against Liverpool.
- Southampton have failed to score in each of their last three home matches (L3), although their five conceded goals all came after half-time in those three games.
- Two of Curtis Jones’ three league goals for Liverpool this season have been scored away from Anfield (W1), which came in a 3-0 win at Leicester in their last away match.
Prediction
With nothing left to play for after a poor season littered with awful defending and relegation confirmed a fortnight ago, Southampton certainly now have another free hit after a solid performance at Brighton where they played well across the pitch but were ultimately outclassed.
This match is also their final game under Ruben Selles and a chance to impress Russell Martin who is expected to take over next season, so I do hope that they can build upon their attacking press last weekend but this time with better end product play.
Liverpool meanwhile are guaranteed fifth place but they were lucky to not lose at home to Aston Villa last weekend through poor defending, whilst their attack looked sluggish at times with wasteful end product in a disappointing performance by recent standards.
The only positive for Jurgen Klopp’s Reds is that they now have a chance to finish a difficult campaign with a win, which I do expect them to do if can target Southampton’s vulnerable defence but the Saints could well give them a game if can sort out their finishing touch.
Prediction: Southampton 1-3 Liverpool
Result: Southampton 4-4 Liverpool