Liverpool vs Southampton: Live score and updates from Anfield
Follow live updates from the Premier League clash at Anfield
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool host Southampton this weekend and there is no doubt that the stakes are higher for the home side.
- Jürgen Klopp convinced Liverpool can deal with the pressure of Premier League top four battle
- Liverpool in contract talks with Emre Can but Lucas Leiva future is uncertain, reveals Jürgen Klopp
- Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho confident of quick return after picking up injury against Watford
- The Liverpool, Manchester City, Swansea and Hull results that could produce two Premier League playoffs
What time does it start?
The match kicks off at 1.30pm on Sunday 7 May.
Where can I watch it?
It will be shown live on Sky Sports 1, with coverage beginning at 12.30pm.
Preview
One player the Merseysiders will be targeting this summer is Southampton’s Virgil Van Dijk, who will have a host of Champions League clubs chasing him. The Dutchman has been a huge miss for Claude Puel since his foot injury in January, and Liverpool will be hoping to take advantage of his absence when the sides meet.
Philippe Coutinho is expected to hand his side a huge boost by starting the game despite an injury scare against Watford, when he was forced off with a dead leg, while Adam Lallana is likely to start after looking sharp on his return from injury in the same game: an occasion decided by a sublime Emre Can bicycle kick. Southampton have no new injury concerns and it is probable they will field the same team which drew 0-0 with Hull last weekend.
Klopp will be wary of Liverpool’s inconsistent form this season which has seen them excel in games against teams in and around the top of the table, but struggle against those below them. Their defence has been porous at times, conceding just two less goals (42) than mid-table Southampton in the league, which will encourage the likes of Gabbiadini that there are goals up for grabs in this game.
It’s a big game for…
Adam Lallana: His recent absence through injury was noticeable and Liverpool will be expecting the Englishman to push them on to a strong finish to the season. He provides them with much needed versatility in a fluid front three alongside Firmino and Coutinho, and can make the difference in tight games. He looked good when he came on against Watford and will need to produce more of the same against Southampton.
Best stat
Liverpool have not beaten Southampton since December 2015, when they won 6-1 at St Mary’s in the League Cup. However, the Merseyside club have won 47 per cent of the 82 games played between the two sides in all competitions.
Remember when…
Liverpool recorded their biggest victory over Southampton, a 7-1 thrashing in the 1998/99 season at Anfield in which Robbie Fowler scored a hat trick and his 100th goal for the club.
Player to watch...
Oriol Romeu. The ex-Chelsea man has been in excellent form for the Saints this season and is vitally important in his anchoring midfield role. His tackling, interceptions and distribution are his strongest attributes which give his defenders reliable cover and his attackers accurate service.
He will be tasked with thwarting Liverpool’s creative sparks at Anfield and will need to get his job right to give Southampton a chance of keeping their opponents out.
Past three-meetings…
Liverpool 0 Southampton 1
EFL Cup semi-final, January 2017
Southampton 1 Liverpool 0
EFL Cup semi-final, January 2017
Southampton 0 Liverpool 0
Premier League, November 2016
Form
Liverpool: WWWWD
Southampton: DLLWW
Odds
Liverpool to win: 5/9
Southampton to win: 5/1
Draw: 16/5
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Southampton's trip to Anfield. Liverpool have failed to beat The Saints in all three of the league meetings under the management of Klopp, so the visitors could be set to cause an upset today.
Stay tuned for all of the build up, team news and minute-by-minute coverage of the action as it happens.
The Liverpool boss has angrily hit back at claims that his Liverpool side cannot handle pressure, instead claiming that his team tend to perform better when the odds are stacked against them. Liverpool have had another enigmatic season and currently sit 3rd in the table despite dropping points against a number of teams far lower than them in the Premier League table.
Philippe Coutinho is confident he’ll be fit to face Southampton this weekend after sustaining a thigh injury against Watford on Monday night. The Brazilian, who was sidelined for two months after tearing ligaments in his ankle, was forced off at Vicarage Road with a dead-leg following a collision with Watford’s Adrian Mariappa in the 13th minute.
Liverpool are unchanged from the side that beat Watford 1-0.
The home fans will be ecstatic to see that Coutinho has been named in the starting line up after limping off early at Vicarage Road.
Lallana is still working his way back to full fitness, so the 28-year-old remains on the sideline.
There is just one change for Watford, with Ward-Prowse replacing Redmond, which suggests a change of approach from Puel.
The home side need to hold their nerve in the race to secure their position in the Champions League, but the pressure on. With Manchester City scoring five past Palace yesterday, Guardiola's men overtook The Reds on goal difference in the table. Three points today will be vital for Klopp's side, despite the fact they are in danger of recording successive league defeats at Anfield for the first time in over five years.
Puel's side are hunting for three points today to boost their chances of finishing their season in the top half of the table. The Saints have not been victorious in the league at Anfield since 2013, but they did defeat Liverpool in both legs of the EFL Cup semi-final. It is all to play for today at Anfield, for both sides.
Kick off at 13:30.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments