Klopp saw positives for LFC in the week and will hope to see more today
Liverpool take on Southampton in the Premier League, in the last game of the weekend today, in what will be Jurgen Klopp’s first league game at Anfield.
An uninspiring 1-1 draw at home to Rubin Kazan in the week once again exposed the level of work ahead of the 48 year old, as he enters into his second Premier League game at home to a side sitting three places ahead of the Reds on goal difference.
A win for Liverpool could see Klopp’s side rise as high as sixth and, depending on the result in the Manchester derby this morning, could place the team within three points of United – a side many are still claiming can challenge for the Premier League this season.
Southampton will arrive at Anfield on the back of a run that has seen them lose narrowly to Manchester United, before comfortably beating both Swansea and Chelsea away. A 2-2 draw at home to Leicester in the league last weekend being the only real blip in recent weeks.
The South coast club currently have a fairly complete squad to pick from, with only Shane Long missing that would be of significance to Ronald Koeman’s team (Forster’s long-term injury aside).
It is a slightly different story for the Reds though, with a current injury list reading captain Jordan Henderson, Danny Ings, Joe Gomez, Jordan Rossiter and the club’s top striker, Daniel Sturridge.
In all likelihood, Roberto Firmino and Christian Benteke should return to the side today however, meaning a boost for Klopp, with rumours of James Milner and Divock Origi likely to be the fall-guys.
On another positive note for Jurgen Klopp’s men, Liverpool have won all of the last three against Southampton, with current Red Nathaniel Clyne the last player to score against the club. That said, Koeman will ensure his team don’t just roll over and Liverpool will do well to get all three points at Anfield.
