Liverpool vs Southampton Prediction, Betting Tips & Preview

Preview

Haydn Cunningham Oct 14, 2015 @ 02:10 pm

The Premier League's return after the international break saw the opportunity for Jurgen Klopp to make his bow in England after a hugely successful career in the German Bundesliga. Anfield will be hugely anticipating the arrival of Jurgen Klopp at Anfield as he takes charge of his first league game in charge at Liverpool in front of the Kop. His opening game as manager ended in a 0-0 stalemate with Tottenham at White Hart Lane and has already achieved Liverpool's first clean sheet since 24 August. The travelling Liverpool supporters would've taken some encouragement from the defensive display on show and Klopp was animated on the touchline, applauding on a number of occasions for Liverpool's best moments in the game. Liverpool didn't add to their 8 Premier League goals but given the recent injuries to Danny Ings and then Daniel Sturridge picking up a niggle in training, it was always going to be a tough ask with Divock Origi making his full debut in the Premier League.

Southampton threw away a 2 goal lead at St.Mary's as they became the latest team in a growing list to take the lead against Leicester City and be pegged back. An injury time strike denied them all 3 points which would've took them into 6th place and back amongst the Europa League spots which is what they managed last year in Ronald Koeman's first season in charge. His future is under serious scrutiny given the troubles with the Holland national side and Koeman is believed to be the most favoured personnel to take the job. The ex-Feyenoord manager may want certain assurances at Southampton that he can build a squad capable of breaking into the top 4 rather than being a club known for selling their best assets.

Liverpool have won just 1 of their last 7 Premier League games with a narrow victory over Aston Villa but still only find themselves 4 points off the Champions League places. Southampton have lost the last 3 meetings against Liverpool and will be determined to put that poor run to an end as they travel to Merseyside. Anfield isn't a particularly happy hunting ground for them as in 38 visits they've won just 4 times. 

Injuries have been a curse at Liverpool this season and the latest casualties have both picked up serious injuries that will rule them out for the majority of the season. Joe Gomez suffered an ACL injury on international duty for England U21 before Ings picked up the same problem in training. Sturridge recently returned but his latest setback shouldn't keep him out for the Southampton match. Cedric Soares sustained a nasty head injury against Leicester but managed to complete 60 minutes before being substituted. Kelvin Davis will also keep his place in goal with Martin Sketelenburg joining Fraser Forster as injured goalkeepers at Southampton.

Liverpool

Stats: W-3 L-2 D-4

Recent Form - WWDDD

Southampton

Stats: W-3 L-2 D-4

Recent Form - LWWWD

Head-to-head record:

Possible Line-ups

Liverpool (4-2-3-1) - Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno, Can, Lucas, Milner, Coutinho, Lallana, Sturridge.

Southampton (4-3-3) - Davis, Jose Fonte, Bertrand, Soares, Van Dijk, Clasie, Wanyama, S.Davis, Tadic, Mane, Pelle.

Injury List/Suspended Players

Liverpool - Benteke (inj), Gomez (inj), Ings (inj), Firmino (inj), Flanagan (inj), Henderson (inj).
Southampton – Forster (inj), Sketelenburg (inj), Gardos (inj), Long (inj)

Liverpool v Southampton Head to Head

League Positions