Premier League: Southampton vs Liverpool Preview

by
Chase Brittingham
August 16, 2019

Photo credit to Trực Tiếp Bóng Đá via Flickr

Southampton vs Liverpool Preview

Date: Saturday, August 17, 2019
Time: 10:00 am (EST)
Network: NBCSN
Location: Southampton, England
Venue: St. Mary’s Stadium
Seating Capacity: 32,505

In the second matchweek of the Premier League season Liverpool travel to St. Mary’s Stadium to face Ralph Hassenhüttl’s Southampton.

After Liverpool’s midweek triumph over Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup they will be looking to build on their performance this Saturday.

After a poor performance against Burnley last Saturday, the Saints will be keen to get back out on the pitch and put last weeks showing at Turf Moor behind them. Expect Hassenhüttl to make some personnel and formation changes to sure-up the defense and be a threat on the counter-attack.

Matches between the two have become a pseudo-rivalry over the past few seasons, albeit a one-sided one. The frequent transfers between the clubs have resulted in former Saints become world class players, for instance Sadio Mané and Virgil van Dijk. Meanwhile Danny Ings failed to break into Liverpool’s starting XI and made the move the other way.

Team News

Liverpool are still without goalkeeper Alisson Becker who sustained a calf injury in their season opener against Norwich City. New signing Adrián will still be between the sticks for this match-up if he is able to recuperate in time. A celebrating invader injured the Spaniard after their win against Chelsea.

In addition, midfielder Naby Keïta picked up muscle strain in the warm-ups for the UEFA Super Cup. Therefore, he will likely be missing from the 18-man squad until the full extent of his injury can be assessed.

On the other side of things, Southampton have a full strength squad, so more of the focus will be on reworking the squad to improve from their performance against Burnley.

By the Numbers

In their last 6 Premier League meetings the Saints have had very little luck against the Reds, losing 4 matches and drawing two. In those games they have only managed to score once and have conceded 11. Although both draws ended 0-0 proving that Southampton has had the ability to frustrate the Champions League winners in the past.

Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah has scored 5 goals in 4 appearances against Southampton since joining from Roma, so expect to see his name on the score sheet this weekend.

Don’t expect to see Sadio Mané’s name alongside Salah’s because surprisingly, since leaving for Merseyside, Mané has yet to record a goal or assist in 5 games against his former club.

Prediction & Line-Ups For Southampton vs Liverpool Preview

Liverpool are heavily favored in this match-up, but Southampton have a lot to prove to their home fans after their abysmal season opening performance. The Saints will have to rely on set pieces and counter-attacks to get their goals because Liverpool will likely dominate possession.

Therefore, James Ward-Prowse is a key inclusion in the starting XI because of his passing range and his ability to score from free-kicks. It is also vital for Jannik Vestergaard to be included for his defending ability as well as his presence on corners. Maya Yoshida should also be brought in to add some experience to the side in place of Jack Stephens.

Southampton XI: Gunn; Valery, Bednarek, Yoshida, Vestergaard, Bertrand; Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Højbjerg; Ings, Redmond.

Liverpool need to focus on playing their game and not get frustrated by Southampton. An early goal should settle nerves for Klopp’s men and lead to a routine win. After a long midweek game in Turkey against Chelsea, it is likely we will see a changed squad this weekend.

Liverpool XI: Adrián; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Mané, Firmino, Salah.

All in all I think a confident Liverpool side will prove to be too much for Southampton resulting in a comfortable winner for Jurgen Klopp and company. The Red’s will continue their flying start to the season, meanwhile the Saint’s will need to do some more fine-tuning before they face Brighton and Hove Albion next weekend.

Prediction: Southampton 0 – 4 Liverpool