Preview: LIVERPOOL vs Southampton

Coutinho and Sterling will be key to Liverpool’s result today

With the likes of Manchester United and Everton dropping points yesterday and Arsenal looking way below their best, Liverpool take on Southampton at Anfield today in a game that gives them an opportunity to lay down a marker and hit the ground running while supposed rivals already falter.

The teams that Liverpool should be setting sights on, Chelsea and current Champions Manchester City, play on Monday night and Sunday evening respectively and a confident, convincing win over Southampton prior to those games will put the pressure on both sides to match the performance.

Liverpool will be without the injured quartet of Lallana, Agger, Flanagan and Markovic who has not returned from his injury in time for the game.

Following the result achieved over German giants Dortmund last weekend, the temptation would be to remain with the same side but Reds manager Brendan Rodgers is likely to make one or two changes and opt for experience, meaning young Spanish right back Manquillo may make way for Jose Enrique, with Glen Johnson reverting to right-back.

In the centre of defence, it’s highly unlikely that Lovren and Skrtel will be broken up, following an impressive debut together against Dortmund and will likely be the preferred pairing going into the first few weeks, while only Emre Can’s position may be in question, with the experience of Joe Allen perhaps preferred. However, Rodgers is anything if not prepared to try something (or somebody) new and Can may well find himself in line for his first start.

Likely team to face Southampton: Mignolet, Johnson, Lovren, Skrtel, Enrique, Can, Henderson, Gerrard, Sterling, Coutinho, Sturridge

Come on you Reds; we go again!