Match Preview: Liverpool vs Saints

THE MATCH

Liverpool vs Southampton
Saturday 18th November, 3:00pm GMT
Anfield
Premier League

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

With the league standings finely poised, Southampton could jump as high as eighth with victory, potentially leapfrogging five clubs in the mid-table melee.

Saints narrowly lost out to Burnley at St Mary's in their previous league tie, but encouragingly, are unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions against Liverpool.

The hosts currently sit just outside the top four in fifth, with 19 points, three points behind Chelsea. Jürgen Klopp is yet to beat Saints in the Premier League, drawing three of his four matches as Liverpool boss (W0 D3 L1).

The charismatic German's side enter the fixture off the back of two comprehensive wins over Huddersfield and West Ham, netting seven in the process, and with Brazilian maestro Phillipe Coutinho yet to return to club action.

The Reds can win a third consecutive league game for first time in 12 months with three points on Saturday.

TEAM NEWS

Saints' Mario Lemina is back in light training, but remains sidelined with an ankle problem.

Reds captain Jordan Henderson pulled out of England's international program last week, but has since returned to full training and is in contention after a thigh injury.

In demand Philippe Coutinho played against England at Wembley despite missing Liverpool's last three fixtures.

Long-term absentee Nathaniel Clyne will not return until 2018 having undergone back surgery, but Adam Lallana could make his first appearance of the season.

Sadio Mane withdrew from Senegal's squad amid fears he had suffered a reoccurrence of a recent hamstring injury, but could yet be fit enough to feature at Anfield. 

FORM GUIDE

Southampton’s previous five:

Southampton 0-1 Burnley
Brighton and Hove Albion 1-1 Southampton
Southampton 1-0 West Brom
Southampton 2-2 Newcastle
Stoke City 2-1 Southampton

Liverpool's previous five:

West Ham 1-4 Liverpool
Liverpool 3-0 NK Maribor
Liverpool 3-0 Huddersfield Town
Spurs 4-1 Liverpool
NK Maribor 0-7 Liverpool

TOP PERFORMERS

Italian striker Manolo Gabbiadini remains Saints' most potent goal threat, while skipper and now MBE Steven Davis has chipped in with two this term.

Nathan Redmond and Shane Long were the last two Saints players to find the net against Liverpool, with goals coming in both legs of last year's EFL Cup semi-final triumph.

Top scorers: Manolo Gabbiadini (3), Steven Davis (2)
Most assists: Nathan Redmond (2), Shane Long (1)

Having hit the ground running after his big money summer move, Mo Salah has been one of the Premier League's stand-out performers and a perfect complement to Liverpool's already abundant pool of attacking talent.

According to the stats, the Egyptian has eclipsed the costlier Alexandre Lacazette, Alvaro Morata and Bernardo Silva with his shooting accuracy, goals and assists combined.

Top scorers: Mohamed Salah (7), Roberto Firmino (3), Philippe Coutinho (2)
Most assists: Roberto Firmino (2), Mohamed Salah (2)

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

All-time record:

Played: 106
Southampton: 30
Draws: 25
Liverpool: 51

Previous five meetings:

May 2017: Liverpool 0-0 Southampton
Jan 2017: Liverpool 0-1 Southampton (EFL Cup second-leg)
Jan 2017: Southampton 1-0 Liverpool (EFL Cup first-leg)
Nov 2016: Southampton 0-0 Liverpool
March 2016: Southampton 3-2 Liverpool

DID YOU KNOW?

- Liverpool have conceded 30 goals via set-pieces in the Premier League since Jurgen Klopp took charge in October 2015 - only Watford (36), Stoke (32) and Crystal Palace (31) have conceded more.

- Liverpool have lost only twice in their last 32 Premier League matches at Anfield (W19 D11 L2).

FOLLOW THE ACTION!

Don’t worry if you can’t make it to Anfield! Our interactive match centre at southamptonfc.com will have all the build-up, as well as in-game updates and free live audio commentary.

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