Despite an upturn in form in recent weeks, Liverpool find themselves embroiled in a battle to qualify for the Champions League next year rather than competing against Manchester City for the Premier League title.
Already 11 points off the pace after just 11 league games, Liverpool cannot afford to continue dropping points or they risk handing the initiative to their rivals in the race for Champions League qualification as they are already several points adrift of Chelsea and Tottenham while they only sit above Arsenal in fifth on goal difference.
Next up for Liverpool is the visit of Southampton to Anfield and it’s no secret that the Reds have targeted some of Southampton’s best players in recent transfer windows with Dejan Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne and Adam Lallana three of the standout names to make the move from St. Mary’s.
In the summer, Virgil van Dijk could’ve been the latest to do so but despite his best efforts (refusing to train and play for the club, as well as handing in a transfer request) Southampton refused to sell the £70m-rated centre-back who has since been welcomed back into the first-team fold on the south coast.
It will be a strange game for van Dijk, who can’t help but feel he probably should be playing for the other side on Saturday, while Liverpool will be hoping he doesn’t have the type of performance that saw him elevate himself to one of the Premier League’s finest defenders.
Southampton have struggled this season to score goals, finding the net just nine times in 11 games, which plays into Liverpool’s favour given their shaky backline.
Jurgen Klopp’s men are huge favourites for this weekend’s clash, with some sport betting sites listing Liverpool as short as 4/11 to pick up all three points at Anfield.
Unfortunately for Klopp, he may be without another former Southampton star in Sadio Mane for this game after the winger aggravated a previous hamstring injury during Senegal’s game with South Africa during the international break.
While it’s not considered as serious as the last hamstring injury he suffered earlier this season again whilst playing for Senegal in a World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde, his availability for this weekend has yet to be determined.
His absence could pave the way for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to receive another start after his impressive performance last time out against West Ham when he scored in a 4-1 win at the London Stadium.
