Liverpool travel to Southampton this weekend with revenge hopefully the furthest thing from their minds. Nobody would’ve guessed at the time but Southampton became the only side to win at Anfield in all competitions, a result which no side has looked like coming close to since.
But all thoughts of payback should be erased as Liverpool travel to the South Coast looking for another three points to add to a growing tally that could be as high (or as low) as this Liverpool side wants it to be by the end of the season.
When the Saints won at Anfield last year, both sides were riding high in the league and, at one point, Southampton were being considered as potential title candidates by some. Since that time only one of the two has maintained form at the time and Brendan Rodgers must ensure that his players are focussed on only getting a positive result.
Southampton are likely to field their England stars, whilst Liverpool’s are all certain to retain their places after all playing a key role in last a weekend’s hard fought victory over Swansea. Dan Agger has already been told his place is safe in the starting 11, whilst it’s hard to see anybody making way. Joe Allen may feature , depending on how the manager chooses to set up but it’s expected to be a case of ‘as you were’, hopefully with a bit more emphasis on not letting the other team attempt to score too often.
Liverpool are likely to field the same side that beat Swansea 4:3 last weekend, whilst Mamadou Sakho could make an appearance on the bench. Lucas Leiva is back in light training but is highly unlikely to feature in the squad, although with a two week break following on after this evening’s game Liverpool should have a much healthier squad to pick from once the international break is at an end.
Match Odds: Southampton 11/4; Liverpool 21/20, Draw 27/10
