Liverpool will host Southampton in the Premier League this weekend, looking to continue their recent run of form with victory at Anfield.
Liverpool have picked up wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Derby County in the last two matches and will be fairly confident heading into the contest against Southampton.
This is Liverpool’s final league game ahead of the 2022 World Cup and the fans will be expecting a strong showing at home.
It has been a disappointing campaign for Liverpool by their standards and they are languishing eighth in the league table. It’ll be interesting to see if the Reds can bring in the necessary reinforcements during the January transfer window and finish the season strongly in the second half.
On the other hand, Southampton are going through a rough patch right now and they are coming into this game on the back of two consecutive league defeats. It will be an uphill challenge for them at Anfield, but the Saints have the quality to pull off an upset here.
They will have seen how Leeds United performed and secured a win at Anfield, and the visitors will be hoping for a similar result here.
Next up, we host Southampton at Anfield 👊 🔴 pic.twitter.com/aha1T76fyB
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 11, 2022
Team News and Tactics
Liverpool
Liverpool will be without the services of Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, Joel Matip and Arthur Melo for this game. Naby Keita is still working his way back to full fitness and the Guinean midfielder is expected to miss out.
Jurgen Klopp is expected to continue with his usual 4-3-3 setup with Alisson Becker in goal. The Brazilian has been Liverpool’s only consistent performer this season.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will return to the squad as the full-backs after being rested against Derby County. Ibrahima Konate will partner Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence.
In the central midfield, Thiago Alcantara will partner Fabinho. While the Spaniard will look to control the tempo of the game, Fabinho will look to disrupt the play and regain possession for his side.
Harvey Elliott will add craft and technical ability in the middle of the park and drift outside to add width from time to time as well. Roberto Firmino, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah are expected to lead the line for the hosts.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Fabinho, Thiago; Nunez, Firmino, Salah
Southampton
Tino Livramento and Kyle Walker-Peters are ruled out against Liverpool for Southampton. Meanwhile, Juan Larios missed out against Newcastle United with an adductor injury and will be assessed ahead of the game.
The Saints are set to start in a 4-2-3-1 setup and will look to defend deep and hit the hosts on the counter. Gavin Bazunu is set to start in goal for the visitors.
The back four will comprise of Romeo Lavia, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Mohammed Salisu, and Romain Perraud. The two full-backs will be expected to sit deep and overload the box. They will look to provide width during transitions as well.
James Ward-Prowse and Ainsley Maitland-Niles will start as the deep midfielders who will look to protect the centre-backs and set up counter-attacks. Stuart Armstrong and Mohamed Elyounoussi will be deployed in the wide areas. Adam Armstrong will start as the central attacking midfielder behind Che Adams.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Bazunu; Lavia, Bella-Kotchap, Salisu, Perraud; Ward-Prowse, Maitland-Niles; Stuart Armstrong, Adam Armstrong, Elyounoussi; Adams
Key Stats
- Liverpool have kept a clean sheet in their last six home matches against Southampton in all competitions.
- Liverpool have won nine of their last ten matches against Southampton in all competitions.
- Liverpool have scored at least two goals in nine of their last ten matches against Southampton in all competitions.
- Southampton have picked up just one win from their last six Premier League matches.
- Southampton have lost four of their last five away games in the Premier League.
Player to Watch
Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian has been Liverpool’s most productive attacker this season with 14 goals. Southampton have been poor on their travels this season, and Salah will look to make the most of their defensive problems. The Liverpool talisman will look to add to his goalscoring tally here.
Prediction
Liverpool 3-1 Southampton
Liverpool have not been at their best this season, but they are still a very good team and have shown that against Manchester City and Tottenham in recent weeks. Jurgen Klopp will demand a professional showing from his players here, and Liverpool cannot afford another upset at Anfield. A home win is very much on the cards here.
