Liverpool return to Premier League motion with a prime vs. backside conflict as they journey to Southampton on Sunday afternoon.
Southampton vs. Liverpool
Premier League (12) | St Mary’s StadiumNovember 24, 2024 | 2pm (GMT)
The Reds are flying underneath Arne Slot, constructing a five-point lead on the prime of the desk and dreaming of title glory this season.
This weekend, Liverpool go to a Southampton facet propping up the remainder of the division, however they shouldn’t be taken without any consideration.
Right here’s all it’s essential know forward of the Reds’ journey to St Mary’s.
1. Key Liverpool trio nonetheless lacking
The sight of Alisson again in coaching in midweek warmed the hearts of Liverpool supporters, however he nonetheless isn’t accessible this weekend.
The Reds’ No.1 continues to be managed fastidiously after injuring his hamstring at Crystal Palace early final month.
Trent Alexander-Arnold additionally misses out however is pushing to be accessible for the Champions League conflict with Actual Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday.
Diogo Jota can be nonetheless absent and the identical applies to Harvey Elliott, however the latter is again in coaching after fracturing his foot in September.
Federico Chiesa will play no half however can be nearing a return.
2. Saints struggling again within the Premier League
Southampton secured a return to the Premier League with a playoff remaining win over Leeds, however they’ve discovered life again within the prime flight tough.
Russell Martin’s facet are backside the desk and have picked up solely 4 factors from their first 11 video games this season. Their solely win got here at dwelling to Everton, in fact!
Southampton‘s risk-taking fashion of play is admirable however arguably naive, and Liverpool will hope to benefit from it this weekend.
3. Mo Salah close to the highest
Mohamed Salah has been in sensational kind this season and he’s out to interrupt one more file on Sunday afternoon.
Solely a hat-trick will do, although!
Salah has scored seven instances towards Southampton, with Robbie Fowler (8) the one Liverpool participant to search out the web extra instances within the Premier League period.
In the meantime, Ian Rush holds the file within the league all through historical past with 10, so his tally is nearby.
Salah is now solely 10 objectives behind Thierry Henry within the all-time Premier League scoring charts, sitting in eighth place on the record.
4. Attainable Liverpool XI
It will be a shock if Liverpool’s beginning lineup wasn’t just like the one which took to the sector at dwelling to Aston Villa.
Alexander-Arnold might be changed by Conor Bradley, and Kostas Tsimikas might are available for Andy Robertson, however Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk will stay because the Reds’ centre-half partnership.
In midfield, Slot will possible select between Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai, though Alexis Mac Allister returned dwelling from worldwide responsibility later than others.
Luis Diaz might miss out for a similar motive as Mac Allister.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo
5. Who’s out for Southampton?
The damage issues are mounting for Martin earlier than Sunday’s sport, with Jan Bednarek selecting up a knee ligament drawback for Poland final week.
The centre-back has been an ever-present for them within the league this season, beginning all 11 matches.
Aaron Ramsdale is out after requiring an operation on his finger, whereas Gavin Bazunu (goalkeeper), Will Smallbone (midfield) and Ross Stewart (striker) are all absent, too.
Ryan Fraser and Kamaldeen Sulemana can be found, although.
Attainable Southampton XI: McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Sugawara, Stephens, Harwood-Bellis, Manning; Armstrong, Downes, Aribo, Fernandes; Archer
6. Harvey Elliott not but at match sharpness
Chatting with the media on Friday, Slot defined how persistence is required with Elliott when it comes to him getting again to his greatest:
“Sure, he’s coaching with us once more, however that’s completely different from being on the highest of your sport instantly once more. We have now to offer him time for this as effectively.
“However I’m very lucky that he’s again, particularly with the quantity of video games which are arising within the coming two, three or 4 months.”
7. Liverpool’s file at St Mary’s
Liverpool have largely fared effectively away to Southampton down the years, particularly since The Dell was traded for St Mary’s in 2001.
In entrance of followers, the Reds have gained on their final 4 journeys to Saints, with their solely defeat a 1-0 loss behind-closed-doors in January 2021.
The final goalless draw there got here in November 2016, with Van Dijk a part of a Southampton defence that saved Liverpool at bay.
The final assembly at St Mary’s was a loopy 4-4 draw within the remaining day of the 2022/23 season, in what was a remaining Reds look for Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.
8. Did You Know?
Liverpool have gained all eight league matches this season when going forward and all 12 in all competitions. This completely highlights their ruthless edge, not permitting groups methods again into video games.
Liverpool have led in 15 of their 17 outings in 2024/25 thus far, with 11 of their final 12 objectives scored after half time.
A pleasant early objective on Sunday could be good, not permitting the house crowd a sniff of hope!
9. Barrott referee, Oliver on VAR
Sam Barrott has been confirmed because the referee for Sunday’s match, in what is simply his second-ever sport in command of Liverpool.
The primary was the 5-2 win at dwelling to Norwich within the FA Cup fourth spherical again in January.
Michael Oliver is on VAR responsibility for the sport, whereas Darren England is the fourth official.
10. Observe the match with TIA
Southampton vs. Liverpool is stay on Sky Sports activities Premier League from 1pm (GMT), with kickoff at 2pm.
Henry Jackson is on TIA matchday stay weblog responsibility, conserving you firm and hopefully guiding you thru a win from 1.15pm.
Come on you Reds!
