When the season started, Liverpool fans were quite hopeful about how well they would do this season. But even the most optimistic of fans couldn’t have imagined that they would push aside the mighty Manchester Clubs, a burgeoning Chelsea and perennial champions league slot team Arsenal to be at the top of the league.
Through relentless hard work and hours of practice, this team has embodied all the principles Klopp stands for. The gegenpressing chokes other team’s offence, while the wide role played by wingbacks give them added threat on offence. Today the Reds go against Southampton who has dealt with back to back losses in their past two fixtures, and the Reds would be looking to cement their position at the top.
Liverpool
Team News and Tactics
Despite being one of the first names on the Liverpool team sheet, Adam Lallana might be a doubt as he suffered an injury in England’s 2-2 draw against Spain. Though the Reds fans shouldn’t be too disappointed as they have an in-form replacement for him in Wijnaldum. Coutinho had undergone a scan after complaining of a tight hamstring following his return from international duty and has now been passed fit to travel with the rest of the squad.. The defence is at full strength as none of the key defenders played for their countries in the break.
Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Karius; Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Emre Can; Mane, Firmino, Coutinho
Southampton
Team News and Tactics
Ryan Bertrand might not be available as he suffered a minor injury on England Duty. Even though Tadic suffered a broken nose against Wales while playing for Serbia, he has passed the fitness test and should start. Frazer Forster is also fit to start against Liverpool. Ryan Bertrand, Cedric Soares and Shane Long would have to pass a late fitness test to feature on the side.
Predicted Lineup (4-3-1-2): Forster; Yoshida, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand; Romeu, Clasie, Davis; Tadic; Redmond, Austin
Key Stats (taken from FourFourTwo)
- Southampton ended a run of four Premier League games without beating Liverpool with their 3-2 victory over the Reds in March (D1 L3).
- Southampton has dropped more points from leading positions than any other team this season (8), while no side has collected more from behind than Liverpool (6).
- Philippe Coutinho has scored in three of his previous four visits to St Mary’s Stadium in the Premier League (three goals).
- This is Liverpool’s best start to a Premier League season since 2008/09 after 11 games (also 26 points). Only in 2002/03 (27) did they collect more points from their opening 11 fixtures.
- Jürgen Klopp’s side have won 16 games in 2016; no Premier League side has won more (Manchester United also on 16).
Prediction – Southampton 0 – 2 Liverpool
Even though Southampton have been quite good at home this season with the only loss coming at the hands of Chelsea, they aren’t good enough to stop the juggernaut that is Liverpool. The Reds have been one of the most prolific attacking outfits this season and shouldn’t have a problem defeating The Saints.