Liverpool vs Southampton
Premier League
Date: 18th November 2017
Kick off at 15:00 UK / 16:00 CET
Venue: Anfield (Liverpool).
Team News
Sadio Mane and Nathaniel Clyne will both be unavailable to face their former club but Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain will be fit to at least make the bench. Jordan Henderson also did not feature for England during the break and should be available for selection on Saturday. Philippe Coutinho’s back problems seemed to have gotten over as he lined up for Brazil against England. He too should be available for selection.
For Southampton, Mario Lemina has recovered from his ankle injury and should be available for Pellegrino to select on Saturday. All other players are available giving the Argentine manager a chance to put forward his best eleven.
The Verdict
Last season, Southampton were one of those sides that provided the template for effective defensive organization against Liverpool. They did not give away a single goal in four games last season. But this season, the Saints’ defense is a bit leaky (xGA of 13.39). Further, Liverpool have added Salah to their firepower and also shown the ability to break down stubborn defenses this season. With Southampton constrained in their scoring and Liverpool confident in theirs, Saturday’s game should end in a win for Liverpool, even if they are made to work hard for it.
Liverpool 2 – 0 Southampton
Liverpool
Things are looking back in the final third for Jurgen Klopp whose side has notched at least three goals in each of their last three outings in all competitions.
This summer’s acquisition from Roma, Mohamed Salah, has been the catalyst or the rise netting six goals in last five matches for Liverpool.
The Egyptian winger bagged a brace in the demolishing 1-4 win over the Hammers two weeks ago and he will clearly be the greatest danger to Fraser Forster’s goal this Saturday.
Southampton
The visitors are in a completely opposite run of form as they’ll head into this on the back of a disappointing 0-1 loss to Burnley at St. Mary’s.
They now have only a single win in last six matches in all competitions and they’ve notched only three goals in four away days in this term of Premier League.
The Italian forward Manolo Gabbiadini is Mauricio Pellegrino’s key man up front, but be managed to find the back of the net only once in last 16 matches in all competitions.
Liverpool vs Southampton: Head to head
The Saints left Anfield victorious only five times in 41 visits to Liverpool having lost on as many as 25 occasions along the way.
Nonetheless, they have proved out to be a tricky opposition for the Reds in the most recent history of their ties being undefeated in last five encounters with Liv’pool.
Moreover, the Reds failed to score a single goal in last four meetings with Southampton.
Liverpool vs Southampton: Bet Tips
The top bet is Liverpool -1.5 handicap at the odds of 2.10.
The alternative option is Mohamed Salah to score anytime at the odds of 1.72.
