Sunday sees backside host high within the Premier League, however do Southampton followers have any religion in sealing a shock win over Liverpool?
After a two-week break, the Reds are again in motion this weekend, seeking to proceed their near-perfect begin to the season.
Southampton welcome Arne Slot‘s aspect to St Mary’s on Sunday afternoon, with the hosts having solely received as soon as within the league in 2024/25.
Forward of kickoff, This Is Anfield spoke with Southampton fan and author Luke Osman (@lukeosman_) to debate Russell Martin’s future, Slot’s affect at Liverpool and extra.
How joyful are you with Southampton’s season thus far?
It’s onerous to say it’s been something aside from brutal.
Southampton have had one of many ‘simpler’ runs of fixtures to start out the season off and we’ve been largely fairly dire.
We’re restricted going ahead, leaking defensively regardless of good particular person performances again there, and are too gradual between the bins.
We’re the place we need to be, regardless of some questionable refereeing alongside the way in which, and it’s wanting bleak.
What has Martin received proper and unsuitable again within the Premier League?
I’d say one thing Russell Martin has received proper is giving Tyler Dibling ample alternative within the Premier League.
He’s an 18-year-old academy graduate and he’s a star – he’s certainly one of our greatest gamers already and this has been a breakthrough season for him.
Apart from that, I wouldn’t say Martin’s received a lot else proper.
The ways have been naive at finest, and you’ll forgive that given he’s new to the league, however there’s no willingness to adapt nor admit that it’s not labored, which is why so many followers have understandably turned on him.
4 factors from a attainable 33 isn’t acceptable at any time, not to mention when you think about we’ve performed Leicester, Everton, Ipswich and Wolves already, with three being at residence.
Is it time for a change of supervisor?
I feel so. There was a component of fortune in our solely win of the season in opposition to Everton, and to be frank, it’s onerous to see the place one other win comes from.
It’s straightforward to say now with a big portion of the season forward, however I feel Derby’s factors report could possibly be underneath menace!
My view is that we’re one hundred pc down with Martin in cost, such is his perception – and conceitedness, fairly merely – that no adaptation is critical.
But when we twist and go for brand spanking new blood, there’s on the very least some hope that we don’t succumb to humiliation each single week, which has been the case thus far.
Who’ve been Saints’ finest gamers? Who has struggled?
Dibling’s been nice. Mateus Fernandes has checked out residence within the Premier League since his transfer from Sporting in the summertime, and Aaron Ramsdale is a category act.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis was effectively value his England call-up, too.
By way of those that has struggled, I must say nearly all of the attacking gamers.
Cameron Archer’s completed effectively with restricted service, however the likes of Ryan Fraser, Maxwel Cornet and Ben Brereton Diaz have been fairly horrible.
What are your ideas on Arne Slot thus far?
Arne Slot looks as if a category act.
I feel Liverpool are higher to look at this season than their ultimate couple of years underneath Jurgen Klopp.
Slot is getting a tune out of gamers who had beforehand been a bit inconsistent like Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo.
He has surpassed my expectations for positive.
How do you assess Liverpool’s title possibilities?
They’re undoubtedly contenders. I give them extra of an opportunity than Arsenal, because the desk suggests, which I wouldn’t have predicted firstly of the season.
I nonetheless assume Man Metropolis will pull by means of as their key males return, although, however that does hinge on Erling Haaland staying match and sharp.
He’s already wanting just a little jaded.
I reckon Metropolis edge it, however will probably be shut between them and Liverpool.
The place will the important thing battles happen on Sunday?
I don’t actually assume we now have a hope of competing anyplace on the pitch, actually.
I want to see Dibling go at Andy Robertson however that’s provided that Martin decides to start out him, which he hasn’t within the final couple of video games.
Liverpool ought to have pleasure all over the place, and with Alex McCarthy probably in for Ramsdale, and Jan Bednarek additionally out, they may have numerous possibilities to attain.
Lastly, what’s your prediction?
I’ll go together with a considerably reserved Southampton 0-3 Liverpool. If you happen to fancy it, you might simply flip it right into a pummelling.
I feel after the worldwide break and with Actual Madrid and Metropolis developing for them, they’ll go a few targets forward and take their foot off the gasoline just a little.
