Southampton 1 Liverpool 6 analysis: Ronald Koeman tactically unsure after Liverpool capitulation

Southampton manager hints at a more conservative approach after brutal cup exit

Ronald Koeman (right) reacts on the touchline next to Jurgen Klopp (Getty Images)

While all the plaudits should rightly go to Jürgen Klopp in what transpired to be a glowing advertisement for gegenpressing, the manner in which Southampton collapsed to lose 6-1 was remarkable.

After Sadio Mané struck early, Saints pushed the visitors deep into their defensive third for the opening 15 minutes, yet as the Reds gained the ascendency, it was the hosts who seemed visibly frail.

After Daniel Sturridge scored his brace, Koeman elected to switch Dušan Tadić to the right wing in an attempt to force the issue, despite the fact that he was clearly perturbing the inexperienced Mark Randall. The Serbian was confined in his new position – his side did not have an effective outlet, and the Reds added a third on the eve of half-time.

It was at the break that the Southampton manager opted to throw the proverbial kitchen sink at the visitors. The Dutchman later admitted that this was an error on his part, as he moulded his team into a 3-4-3 with Victor Wanyama slotting into an unfamiliar role at centre-back.

Initially, this tactical tinkering seemed to pay dividends as Saints pressured their opponents, however Koeman decided that he would add more firepower to his arsenal, as Shane Long was introduced, and the hosts switched to what appeared to be a 3-3-4 formation.

Liverpool ruthlessly exposed the lack of shape in that makeshift selection, when Divock Origi ran off the back of the defensive trio who were arranged in a diagonal line, and fired home. The space allowed to the Liverpool attack was staggering, and they added two more goals to confirm a rout.

Ronald Koeman cut a frustrated figure as he emerged from the home dressing room at St Mary’s to discuss the manner in which his team had so easily unravelled.

The Dutchman declared, “Maybe we have to play a little more back – waiting and not giving that space.” Yet it is imperative that he finds the same sort of compromise between offence and defence that he so expertly discovered last season.

Southampton had one of the most miserly defences in the Premier League last campaign, but Koeman has struggled to find that strong backbone again.

José Fonte returns on Saturday as the South Coast side face Aston Villa, who are anchored at the bottom of the Premier League – the Portuguese should be able to marshal the defence as the hosts look to evaporate the memory of Wednesday night’s mauling.