Jurgen Klopp’s first domestic league game at his home ground will be against a Southampton side that is high on confidence. Ronald Koeman has done a great job with the club as they have picked up 13 points from 9 games this season so far. The new look Liverpool side will be hoping to open their account on Sunday in this intense clash.
This article is a preview of the game between the two teams. It also includes the Team news, Predictions and Expected line-ups along with the Betting odds.
The Liverpool vs Southampton match will be played on Sunday the 25th of October at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool. The kick-off is scheduled at 5:15 pm BST (9:45 pm IST)
Team News
Jurgen Klopp has been unlucky as he still does not have a full strength squad to pick from at his new club. Daniel Sturride is still a doubt for the game as he is recovering from a knee injury picked up during training. Benteke and Firmino are back in the squad but the manager will miss the services of Jordan Henderson, Joe Gomez, Danny Ings and Jordan Rossiter.
The Southampton manager also has a few injury concerns with the likes of Shane Long and Stekelenburg unavailable for the game. Froster and Gardos are the only other players who will miss out the game on Sunday.
The new look Liverpool side has been facing the same old problem of not being able to score enough goals and it was highlighted in the mid-week fixture against Rubin Kazan where they were not able to score more than once against a ten men defense. Origi who led the line on Thursday may not start with Benteke back from injury but the game against Southampton will not be an easy one.
Pelle, Mane and Tadic have been exceptional for the Saints and the manager will hope that the trio can over run the Liverpool side who are now known to hunt the ball down in pairs under their new manager. For Liverpool, Can, Lucas and Milner will play an important role in the mid-field and if they are able to control the game for the Reds, Koeman’s side will have their work cut out.
The key battle however will be the attacking moves of the home side which have left a lot to be desired. Klopp will take his time to settle into the new club but will have to quickly find ways to have his team score more goals in the upcoming games.
Expected Line-ups:
Liverpool:
Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno, Lucas, Can, Milner, Lallana, Ibe, Coutinho
Southampton:
Davis, Yoshida, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand, Clasie, Davis, Mane, Ward-Prowse, Tadic, Pelle
Predictions:
Southampton are placed just above Liverpool in the Barclays Premier League table but there is nothing much to chose between the two clubs. If anything, Liverpool look a stronger side on paper and will want to gift the new manager his first victory at Anfield. This however is easier said than done as Southampton have been sound defensively in the last few games.
Our Prediction:
Liverpool 1-0 Southampton
Betting Odds:
Liverpool win: 6/1
Draw: 12/5
Southampton: 3/1