EPL – Match Preview – Liverpool vs Southampton

EPL – Match Preview – Liverpool vs Southampton

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The rejuvenated Liverpool will welcome Southampton to a more sprightly looking Anfield on Sunday to close out the English Premier League for another weekend.

The Reds’ first two games under Jurgen Klopp only yielded a couple of points but highlighted the areas in which the German tactician is aiming to improve. Liverpool are stationed in the middle of the Premier League table on 13 points, eight behind league leaders Manchester City and six shy of arch nemesis Manchester United. Will the refreshed Merseyside witness Klopp’s first victory on the weekend?

Southampton raced to a two-goal lead against Leicester City and looked to have the game in complete control until a late brace from Jamie Vardy left Ronald Koeman pondering where it all went wayward. The Saints are also on 13 points but have a better goal difference than their opponents and are only three points away from West Ham United in fourth place.

Key Battle – Mamadou Sakho vs Graziano Pelle

The French centre-back was a hit-and-miss under Brendan Rodgers, however Klopp has instilled confidence in Sakho from the get-go and that shone through during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Rubin Kazan in the Europa League as he produced a standout performance for the Reds. The 25-year-old has impressed in the physical battles the Premier League has to offer and his opponent Pelle will be one of the toughest this season.

The Southampton striker has scored five goals in nine games for the Saints from 39 shots, however other than his excellent goalscoring it is his strong and towering figure that could cause Liverpool the most harm. The Reds have still looked fragile in defence especially from aerial balls which is what the Italian thrives off, having participated in 72 challenges already this term.

Team News 

Klopp employed a 4-2-3-1 formation against Tottenham in his first Premier League tie and the focus was on the three behind Divock Origi: Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and James Milner. This trio stayed narrow and attempted plenty of incisive passing between each other before threading the ball through to the Belgian or another source, while in defence they led the Reds’ rush. Liverpool lacked goals midweek and could be boosted by the return of Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge who were all back in training this week along with Dejan Lovren.

Liverpool Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Mignolet (GK); Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno; Lucas, Can; Lallana, Coutinho, Milner; Benteke.

There is still an injury cloud hanging over Shane Long who suffered ligament damage in his ankle while on duty with the Republic of Ireland. Other than that there is only longer-term causalities Fraser Forster and defender Florin Gardos to concern Koeman on Sunday. Expect to see the Saints line up in a 4-3-3 with Jordy Clasie starting after returning from injury as a substitute last weekend.

Southampton Expected XI (4-3-3): Davis (GK); Cedric, Fonte, van Dijk, Bertrand; Wanyama, Mane, Clasie; Tadic, Ward-Prowse, Pelle.

Head-to-Head

The recent history of this fixture favours the red of Merseyside as Liverpool have been victorious in four of the last six compared to the Saints’ two wins. The Reds are also undefeated in their last three meetings with Southampton and have scored a total of seven goals, while their last clash at Anfield ended 2-1 to the home side in August last year.

Prediction

Despite Liverpool’s positive recent record versus Southampton, it has always been a tricky fixture for the Kopites. However with the return of some key figures and it being Klopp’s first Premier League match at Anfield, the Reds should be able to turn the screw and kick off this new era with a comfortable victory.

Liverpool 3 Southampton 1

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