Liverpool head to Southampton on Sunday eager to close the gap between themselves and the Saints in the race for Champions League qualification. Ronald Koeman’s men sit in fourth but are only four points ahead of the Reds who occupy seventh. Head to head battles such as these are crucial to gain ground on your opponents or further cement your position. Both teams will be eager to show off their attacking brand of football which sets up for a fascinating encounter. Get the best odds on the game at BonusCorner!
Team News
Southampton
Morgan Schneiderlin could make his return to the first team having recovered from a groin injury whilst Shane Long could be named on the bench after a rib injury. Toby Alderweireld could also return after the hamstring injury suffered a month ago but Jay Rodriguez is still out with an ACL problem.
Liverpool
Liverpool could welcome back Raheem Sterling from injury having missed the last few games but captain Steven Gerrard will not be risked for the trip and Lucas is a few weeks away from recovering from his groin injury.
Interesting Facts
- Liverpool have had the joint most different goal scorers in the PL this season with 14 player’s altogether.
- Liverpool have only lost one of their last 17 matches in all competitions
- Liverpool have now scored 101 Premier League penalties, more than any other side.
- Southampton have won only one of their last seven home Barclays Premier League matches where the opposition has scored.
- Jose Fonte has made the most interceptions this season in the PL with 71 in total.
- Raheem Sterling has scored in both of his last two Premier League games against Southampton.
Recent League Head to Heads
2014/2015      Sun 17 Aug    Liverpool        2 – 1    Southampton
2013/2014      Sat 01 Mar     Southampton 0 – 3    Liverpool
2013/2014      Sat 21 Sep     Liverpool        0 – 1    Southampton
2012/2013      Sat 16 Mar     Southampton 3 – 1    Liverpool
2012/2013      Sat 01 Dec     Liverpool        1 – 0    Southampton
Key Players
Southampton: Sadio Mane
Senegalese winger Sadio Mane has shown at times this season that he can be a quality attacking player with plenty to offer. Mane has provided quite a few crucial goals in the Premier League this season for Southampton including games against the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and more recently an important winner in their match against QPR around a fortnight ago. He offers a great attacking presence with his pace and creative ability, which he has shown this season with 23 chances created and two assists to his name. The 22 year old has also proven to be a very technically-gifted player who can take defenders on and get past them with 23 of his 43 attempted dribbles being successful.
Liverpool: Daniel Sturridge
Since his return from five months off with injury, Sturridge has shown glimpses of what Liverpool have desperately missed in their attacking play while he has been on the injury list. With a goal within 12 minutes of his return a few weeks ago against West Ham and with another well taken goal against Crystal Palace in the F.A Cup on Saturday he showed that he hasn’t lost his finishing abilities while on the sidelines. With 2 goals this season in the Premier League he will like to add to that tally and show that he is really back in form. Not only does Sturridge add goals to the team but he also make clever runs on and off the ball and can be a real nightmare for defenders with 10 fouls won this season.
Prediction
Both teams play good positive football and are unlikely to hold back and will go for all three points. Liverpool are in top form but the Saints are a formidable outfit and are miserly in defence but I’m going for a highly entertaining draw for this one.
My Prediction – Southampton 2-2 Liverpool
