Premier League: Southampton v Liverpool match preview
A look ahead to this weekends fixture at St Mary's
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool head to the south coast hoping to keep their hopes of a first league title since 1990 alive. Currently four points behind leaders Chelsea, Brendan Rodgers' men have scored 70 goals so far this season – one less than they managed in 2012-13. However, their defensive mishaps are well documented: only Cardiff, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion and Fulham have keep fewer than their seven clean sheets.
Despite their six-match unbeaten run coming to an end at the hands of West Ham, Southampton have reasons to be confident. They are unbeaten in three games at St Mary's against the Reds, and no other team has won at Anfield this season. Could Mauricio Pochettino's similar philosophy of quick passing and high defensive line be Liverpool's undoing again?
Jos Hooiveld (eye) and Victor Wanyama (knock) may miss out for Southampton. Liverpool duo Mamadou Sakho (hamstring) and Lucas Leiva (knee) have returned to training but will watch from the sidelines. Jose Enrique and Sebastian Coates continue to recover from long-term knee injuries.
KICK-OFF: Saturday, 5.30pm
PAST THREE MEETINGS:
Liverpool 0 Southampton 1 (Lovren), Premier League, September 2013
Southampton 3 (Schneiderlin, Lambert, Rodriguez) Liverpool 1 (Coutinho), Premier League, March 2013
Liverpool 1 (Agger) Southampton 0, Premier League, December 2012
STATS:
66% of Liverpool's goals in this season's Premier League have come in the first half
Southampton have dropped 15 points from winning positions
Daniel Sturridge will be looking to score in his ninth consecutive league game
ODDS:
Southampton to win: 3.75
Liverpool to win: 2.05
Draw: 3.6
TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 5:30pm, highlights on BBC1 at 10:30pm
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments