Verdict: Liverpool to win to nil
Best Odds: 13/10
Bookmaker: Bet 365
Southampton travel to Anfield on Saturday afternoon to take on a Liverpool side hoping to move into the top four with a victory. Here we preview the Premier League clash:
Liverpool
Despite being on the wrong end of a 4-1 thrashing away to Tottenham Hotspur a few weeks ago, Liverpool have bounced back with two convincing victories against Huddersfield Town and West Ham United. Combine this with the 10 goals they scored against Maribor in two Champions League clashes and fans could be forgiven in thinking their fortunes have changed. The Merseyside club have now closed the gap on Chelsea who sit in fourth place to just three points – and they could leapfrog their rivals if results go their way this weekend. Mohamed Salah has been the star of the show lately after netting five goals in his last four appearances but the Reds will also be delighted by the fact Saido Mane is now ready to make a significant impact this season – although his withdrawal from the Senegal squad in midweek is a concern. Jurgen Klopp knows it won’t be easy against Southampton though, as last campaign his side failed to score in four meetings between the two teams. Liverpool have only conceded one goal at Anfield this season so it could be a close game.
Team News
Sadio Mane faces a late fitness test after fears he has suffered a reoccurrence of his recent hamstring injury while playing for Senegal.
Jordon Henderson missed England’s latest fixtures with a thigh injury but has since returned to full training and looks set to feature. Adam Lallana could also make his first appearance of the season after recovering from his thigh injury.
Southampton
It was starting to look like Southampton were finally showing signs of consistency when they picked up five points against Newcastle, West Brom and Brighton. However, they came crashing back down to earth when they lost 1-0 at home to Burnley before the international break. The Saints looked favourites to win during the first half as they managed to exert some pressure onto their opponents but they seemed to run out of ideas after half-time, and failed to find the net for the fifth time this season. Scoring goals has been a huge problem for Mauricio Pellegrino’s team and it’s something he will drastically be keen on improving with Southampton slipping down to 13th place in the table. Fans won’t be too worried yet as they are still four point above West Ham who sit in 17th position but they know it’s going to be difficult to stretch that gap given they’re facing Liverpool this weekend. The Reds have been defensively solid at Anfield this season and it looks likely they could be firing another blank.
Team News
Mario Lemina will face a fitness test to see if he has recovered from his ankle injury.
Maya Yoshida could partner Virgil van Dijk in defence after an injury to Wesley Hoedt in the international break.
Key Factors to Consider
- Liverpool haven’t failed to score against a single team in five consecutive meetings in all competitions since 1978 (Nottingham Forest)
- The Reds have only lost twice in their last 32 games at Anfield (W19 D11 L2)
- However, only Kenny Dalglish has a lower points-per-game ratio for Liverpool at Anfield than Jurgen Klopp
- Southampton are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions against the Merseyside club
- Klopp has yet to beat the Saints in the Premier League (W0 D3 L1)
Conclusion
Liverpool have only conceded once at Anfield, and when you combine this with Southampton’s huge problems in finding the net, then we are very likely looking at one winner. There may not be many goals but Liverpool will win to nil.
Verdict: Liverpool to win to nil
Best Odds: 13/10
Bookmaker: Bet 365
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