A pleasant evening down by the South Coast didn’t end in a very pleasing way for the Saints as title-chasing Liverpool came away with a comfortable 3-0 win from St.Mary’s. A first half strike from Luis Suarez, a classic team-goal scored by substitute Raheem Sterling and a stoppage time penalty saw the Reds rise to 2nd spot in the table. Equal on points with Arsenal but with a better goal difference, the league’s top-scorers uncharacteristically shut-out an impressive Southampton side for a modest 8th clean sheet of the season.
Southampton (4-3-3) :-
Artur Boruc – 5/10
The Polish keeper didn’t have a particularly good game. While he couldn’t do much about the goals scored by the Reds he didn’t seem comfortable in possession and looked out of sorts generally.
Callum Chambers – 6/10
The young academy graduate looked like one of the better players for Southampton. Contributed to the attack and looked well settled in defence. The second half however, saw his attacking runs curtailed with Gaston Ramirez occupying the space for him to run into.
Jose Fonte – 4/10
Unlucky to be in the mix of the confusion that led to the opener but there was nothing about luck when he brought down Luis Suarez in second half stoppage time. Looked out of breath every time Liverpool counter-attacked.
Dejan Lovren – 5/10
The big Croatian defender looked particularly solid on his return from injury. Very few individual errors from the former Lyon man but looked completely out-of-depth holding a high-line against a tricky Daniel Sturridge.
Luke Shaw – 7/10
The 18-year old looked like one of the best players on the pitch. His physicality and athleticism showed signs of an established England international. His battle with Henderson and Flannagan down the left flak was particularly fun to watch.
Steven Davis – 6/10
The Englishman looked impressive in the first half. Tucked inside on the right side of the Saints midfield allowing full-back Chambers to bomb on. Davis put on an impressive display until his eventual substitution.
Jack Cork – 6/10
Sat in front of the back-4 providing cover and allowing the likes of Schneiderlin and Davis to carry on without much pressure. Looked very good on the ball but did very little to affect the game offensively.
Morgan Schneiderlin – 6/10
Southampton’s answer to Jordan Henderson. The legs of the Saints line-up had a decent game. Got up in support for many attacks. However, he may be wrongly acquitted for second goal.
Adam Lallana – 7/10
The England international tried his best to affect he game. Hitting the post once and the pulling one wide, clearly it wasn’t a great day at the office for Lallana. An impressive performance nonetheless.
Rickie Lambert – 5/10
Very little effect on the game. Leaving aside the chest down to Lallana and the dinks over the top of the defence were absolutely delightful.
Jay Rodriguez – 6/10
The young English attacker didn’t really affect the game and as time kept ticking-away his impact on the game gradually reduced.
Liverpool (4-4-2 Diamond)
Simon Mignolet – 8/10
The Belgian had one of his better outings between the sticks. Helped by some good fortune- Lallana hitting the post Mignolet had a good game. Made a few crucial saves, looked confident in the box, dealt with crosses effectively and got rid of the ball quickly.
John Flannagan – 7/10
With manager Roy Hodgson in the stands an impressive performance by the Scouser could’ve created some doubts about his squad to Brazil.Solid defensive performance for the youn full-back.
Martin Skrtel – 7/10
The Slovakian centre back had a typical no-nonsense approach to this game and played brilliantly in the heart of the defence. Looked strong in the air and good on the ball.
Daniel Agger – 7/10
The under-pressure Dane looked at ease throughout the game. Dealt with the aerial threat decently and put in a few crucial blocks too.
Glen Johnson – 6/10
The versatile English full-back seemed in control all game barring a few moments of over-confidence. A good performance nonetheless.
Steven Gerrard – 7/10
Liverpool skipper Gerrard capped off a brilliant performance by converting a penalty deep into stoppage time. E seems to have taken a liking for the new role he occupies.
Jordan Henderson – 7/10
The match-winner of the previous game looked really good once again. Harassing the defenders and neat passing were highlights of his game.
Joe Allen – 7/10
The Welshman began this game in place of electric Raheem Sterling and he didn’t disappoint. A decent performance from the diminutive midfielder.
Phillipe Coutinho – 6/10
The flamboyant Brazilian wasn’t at his flowing best today but still created chances for his strikers regularly.
Daniel Sturridge – 7/10
He may have lost out on Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of scoring in consecutive 10 league games but the tricky English no.9 put in a commendable shift in.
Luis Suarez – 9/10
The Uruguayan man-of-the-match was a unstoppable today and he looked all over for goals and adding to his recently stagnant goals per season. He can only get better from now on.
