The stage has been set. When Liverpool kept returning to the South Coast to buy the likes of Adam Lallana, Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk, they were mocked for buying players without a long-term return in investment. Now, the latter duo are absolutely essential in what has been one of the most genuine title challenges put in by Liverpool in nearly 30 years. Could the scene of where many of their star players have come from, though, be the location where Liverpool see their title tilt come to an end?
Southampton News
Buoyed by some good wins recently, the Saints have come into this one in a relatively good run of form. Wins against Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton and Hove Albion were preceded by wins against Fulham and losses to Manchester United (3-2) and Arsenal (2-0).
They come into this with some of their younger players, James Ward-Prowse in particular, in fine form. Good at attacking their opponents and pressing high under Ralph Hassenhuttl, this will be a fine test of their progress under the Austrian.
Liverpool News
Not much to worry about in terms of fitness: it’s the long-term return of the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, another former Saint, that has some fans edgy. This could be a good game to see him come back into the fold in some form, alongside other midfielders such as Naby Keita. Expect Liverpool to go for solidity first and foremost, using the forward quality they have – especially the in-form Mane and Roberto Firmino – to try punish Saints on the break.
Joe Gomez, too, could be back in and around the squad for this one. For Liverpool, the injuries are returning at just the right time.
Verdict
A tight, very stodgy Liverpool win. The Reds have been poor on the road in 2019 (performance wise), but know they need three points to keep things moving forward. They’ve struggled in games like this recently but have been finding late grit to win the 3 points. If they can do so again here, it’ll only further put pressure on Manchester City. We back them to do so – but not without a tense, tight Friday night affair.