Liverpool 0-0 Southampton: Five Things We Learned From A Stalemate at Anfield

Milner’s penalty miss cost Liverpool the win against Southampton. Image: AFP

Liverpool was unable to get all three points at home against Southampton as Forster denied Milner from the spot to save Southampton from defeat. Here are five things we learned from the matchup.

5. Mane Was Missed

Liverpool looked static in attack, failing to create any real chances besides that penalty miss. Part of this was due to Sadio Mane, arguably Liverpool’s best player, being out due to injury. The Reds weren’t able to do anything when they had the ball, and they lacked that creative spark and goalscoring prowess that Mane brought to them. It’s somewhat fitting that Mane, a former Southampton player purchased for €41 million, was the reason that Liverpool wasn’t able to get past a solid Southampton defense.

4. Forster the Hero for Southampton

Forster was the hero for Southampton, making a couple of great saves, including one to deny James Milner what could’ve been the winner from the spot. It was a great save from the keeper, who stuck his hand out as he dove to the right to deny the fullback. Southampton might not have been able to capitalize on the other side of the pitch, but their defense and their keeper saved the day. The keeper proved the doubters wrong, and he should have silenced the critics for the time being.

3. Bad Omen for Liverpool

Liverpool don’t want to see Southampton on their schedule anytime soon. The Reds haven’t won against them in the last five encounters, losing three times and drawing twice. The Saints also knocked Liverpool out of the Carling Cup, winning both legs by scores of 2-0. In fact, Southampton actually leads the head to head against Liverpool 8-7, an unlikely fact considering the historical significance of Liverpool compared to that of Southampton.

2. Milner Miss Costly

Milner’s penalty miss cost Liverpool all three points, and the fullback reflected on the miss after the game, acknowledging his mistake. It was not a bad penalty by any means, but Forster was able to parry it, denying Milner the goal. It was a shocking miss, as Milner missed his first penalty since November of 2009, converting 15 straight since then. Milner’s penalty prowess can’t be denied, but he wasn’t able to convert from the spot this time around, and it could prove to be even worse for Liverpool if Manchester United and City are able to capitalize on their mistake.

1. Watch Out For The Manchester Clubs

Liverpool needs to watch out. With today’s slip-up, they sit just one point ahead of City with one more game played and five points ahead of United with two more games played. Granted, it’s not very likely that United will be able to win both of their fixtures, against Arsenal and Tottenham respectively, but you never know in this sport, and Liverpool will need to watch their backs just in case. Regardless, Liverpool should go through to the Champions League, where they’ll try to repeat that magic from Istanbul.

Liverpool XI: Mignolet 6; Clyne 6, Matip 6.5, Lovren 6, Milner 5.5; Can 6, Leiva 6 (Lallana 69′, 6), Wijnaldum 6 (Grujic 87′, N/A); Firmino 6, Origi 5.5 (Sturridge 69′, 6), Coutinho 6

Unused Subs: Karius, Klavan, Moreno, Arnold

Southampton XI: Forster 7.5; Cedric 7, Stephens 6, Yoshida 7, Bertrand 7; Tadic 6, Davis, Romeu 6.5, Ward-Prowse 6, Boufal 6 (Redmond 60′, 6); Gagliardini 6 (Long 69′, 6)

Unused Subs: Hassen, Caceres, Hojberg, Pied, Rodriguez

Referee: Robert Madley