Liverpool will be hoping to continue their impressive run of form when they host Southampton at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
Liverpool are coming into this game vs Southampton on the back of an exceptional result against Paris Saint-Germain away from home in the first round of the UEFA Champions League round of 16. The Reds will be full of confidence, and they will look to grind out all three points and extend their lead at the top of the table.
In the Premier League, Arne Slot’s charges have picked up back to back victories over Manchester City and Newcastle United. Liverpool are in exceptional form right now, and this will be a massive challenge for Southampton away from home.
The Saints have lost their last seven matches against Liverpool, and they are coming into this game on the back of five defeats from their last six Premier League games. They will need a major slice of luck to get something out of this contest. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Liverpool
Tyler Morton misses out with a shoulder injury, while Joe Gomez has a hamstring problem. Conor Bradley picked up a knock against Aston Villa, and he will miss out as well. Liverpool are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Southampton, with Alisson Becker in goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kostas Tsimikas will start as the full-backs, and they will look to help out at both ends of the pitch. Ibrahima Konate will start alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch will add defensive cover and control to the side. Meanwhile, Curtis Jones will look to create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates in the final third. Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo will add creativity and goals from the wide areas, with Darwin Nunez leading the line for Liverpool vs Southampton on Saturday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jones, Gakpo; Nunez
Southampton
Southampton will be without Ross Stewart due to a calf injury, Ryan Fraser has a knock, and Juan Larios is sidelined as well. The away side will shape up in a 3-5-2 formation, with Aaron Ramsdale in goal.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis will start alongside Jan Bednarek and Nathan Wood in the back three. Yukinari Sugawara and Kyle Walker-Peters will start as the wing-backs. They will look to keep things tight at the back and hit Liverpool on the break.
As for the midfield unit, Joe Aribo will start alongside Flynn Downes and Lesley Ugochukwu in the middle of the park. They will look to add physicality, defensive cover, and drive to the side. Cameron Archer will start alongside Tyler Dibling in the final third.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood; Sugawara, Aribo, Ugochukwu, Downes, Walker-Peters; Archer, Dibling
Key Stats
- Liverpool are undefeated in their last 24 matches in the Premier League.
- Southampton have failed to win 36 of their last 38 matches in the Premier League.
- 26 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two sides.
- Liverpool are unbeaten in their last six matches vs Southampton.
- Dominik Szoboszlai has been directly involved in six goals in his last 11 Premier League appearances, scoring six and assisting two.
Player to Watch
Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian international has been in exceptional form this season, and he is our key player to watch out for. Salah was unable to make the desired impact against PSG during the midweek, and he will be desperate to get back to his best once again.
Southampton have been quite vulnerable defensively this season, and they risk facing the wrath of the Liverpool talisman, who could not fire during the midweek. Salah could cause all sorts of problems for them with his ability to create goalscoring opportunities and find the back of the net.
Prediction
Liverpool 3-1 Southampton
Liverpool will be the favourites heading into this game, and they have an impressive record against Southampton. The visitors are completely devoid of form, and they are lacking in confidence as well. They are likely to struggle against a world-class Liverpool attacking unit here.
Liverpool have been formidable at Anfield, and they should be able to beat one of the worst teams in the division. With the Premier League title on the line, the home side cannot afford to drop points at this stage of the season, and they are likely to put on a professional performance here. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for Arne Slot and his charges.
